Rays 5, Marlins 2
Matt Joyce belted a two-run homer and Alex Colome pitched 5 2/3 strong innings to win his major-league debut as visiting Tampa Bay handed Miami its season-high ninth straight loss.
Colome (1-0) yielded five hits, one unearned run and struck out seven, and Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save. James Loney also homered and Ben Zobrist delivered a two-run double in the ninth for the Rays, who swept the four-game, home-and-home Citrus Series and extended their winning streak to five.
Pinch hitter Miguel Olivo walked with the bases loaded to bring the Marlins within 3-2 in the eighth before Josh Lueke struck out Rob Brantly to end the inning. Miami starter Ricky Nolasco (3-6) gave up four hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings, walking a season-high four.
Miami loaded the bases with one out after two walks and a Marcell Ozuna single in the first but scored only once on a passed ball for a 1-0 lead. Nolasco’s bloop double helped the Marlins put two runners on with one out in the fifth before Colome got Placido Polanco to ground into a double play.
Nolasco allowed one hit through the first five innings before Zobrist walked with one out in the sixth and Joyce lined a 1-0 pitch into the right-field seats for a 2-1 lead. Loney lifted a 1-1 pitch from Nolasco just over the right-field fence to lead off the seventh for a 3-1 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Ozuna’s single in the first extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Ozuna is tied with Chuck Carr (1993) for the second-longest streak for a rookie in club history. … Tampa Bay is 9-1 in interleague play after sweeping Miami for the first time in a season series (4-0). … Colome is the 18th pitcher to start a game for the Rays since 2008, three fewer than any other team in the majors during that span.