Marlins 5, Cubs 2
MIAMI -- Center fielder Marcell Ozuna cleared the bases with a three-run double, the decisive blow in the Miami Marlins' 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night at Marlins Park.
The Cubs momentarily loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton's throw to second caught Chicago's Addison Russell off the base.
Marlins closer A.J. Ramos then struck out pinch hitter Miguel Montero to nail down his fifth save of the season.
Ozuna's double came in the fourth inning. Stanton added a solo homer in the seventh, putting Miami up 5-2. That gave Stanton 16 homers and 45 RBIs on the season. He started the day tied for first in the National League in RBI and tied for third in homers.
The Marlins' other big hit was a run-scoring double by shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria in the second inning. Ozuna, Stanton and Hechavarria are all right-handed hitters who went to the opposite field for their extra-base hits.
Miami left-hander Brad Hand (1-1) allowed six hits, two walks and two runs in six innings. Hand was the first left-handed starter the Cubs faced in 18 days.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (1-2) took the loss, allowing seven hits, two walks and four runs in six innings.
Miami (21-32) snapped a two-game losing streak.
Chicago (27-23) had a modest two-game win streak broken.
The highlight for the Cubs came in the ninth when shortstop Starlin Castro, 25, singled to left. He became the youngest player to reach 900 career hits while in a Cubs uniform. He broke the previous record set by Ron Santo in 1965.
Miami opened the scoring in the second inning. Ozuna beat out an infield hit and eventually scored on a ground-rule double by Hechavarria, who hit a 1-2 pitch to right field, where it went over the fence on a hop.
Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the third. Center fielder Dexter Fowler beat out an infield single and scored from first on a two-out double to the right field corner by first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Right fielder Junior Lake then followed with his own RBI double, also to the right field corner.
Miami took a 4-2 lead in the fourth on a two-out, three-run double to right-center by Ozuna, who hit the first pitch of the at-bat, capitalizing on a fastball up in the zone.
NOTES: Miami called up RHP Kendry Flores, 23, from Double-A Jacksonville. He replaces deposed closer Steve Cishek on the roster. ... Marlins RHP Henderson Alvarez, out since May 22 because of right shoulder inflammation, has yet to resume throwing. ... Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria (bruised left shoulder) returned to the lineup after missing three games. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon on going from GM to manager, which is what Miami's Dan Jennings did last month: "I never did it. First of all, I love DJ (Jennings). I think he's a great baseball guy. But for me, (the GM-to-manager transition) is almost an impossible thought." ... Cubs 3B Kris Bryant started in left field for the first time as a major-leaguer. He started once in center field earlier this season. ... The Cubs rested RF Jorge Soler, C Miguel Montero and LF Chris Coghlan, starting Junior Lake in right, David Ross at catcher and Jonathan Herrera at third base.