Ozuna's 3-run homer lifts Marlins over Rockies
MIAMI -- Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer to lead the Miami Marlins to a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon at Marlins Park.
The Marlins (37-32) have won the first three games of their series against Colorado (32-36). The series concludes on Monday.
With the win, the Marlins moved a half-game ahead of the New York Mets for second place in the National League East. The Mets were swept by the last-place Atlanta Braves this weekend, and the Marlins are five games over .500 for the first time this season.
Miami broke up a scoreless tie in the seventh. Derek Dietrich walked and Martin Prado singled. Colorado starter Tyler Anderson (0-1) then struck out Christian Yelich for the second out of the inning.
However, Rockies manager Walt Weiss removed Anderson, a left-hander, and replaced him with right-hander Miguel Castro, who allowed Ozuna's 13th homer of the season. On a 2-0 pitch, Ozuna pulled a 95-mph fastball over the fence in left-center.
That homer helped give the win to Tom Koehler (6-6), who pitched six scoreless innings before departing for a pinch hitter to start the fateful seventh. Koehler struck out six and allowed just two hits but walked a career-high six batters, including one intentionally.
Miami's bullpen, which has been outstanding lately, worked the final three innings. A.J. Ramos ran his streak of consecutive saves to 22, and the Miami bullpen has now gone 15 innings in a row without allowing a run. Marlins relievers have allowed just two hits during that span.
NOTES: Colorado put RHP Tyler Chatwood (back) on the disabled list. RHP Scott Oberg was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. RHP Eddie Butler will move from the bullpen to replace Chatwood in the rotation. Oberg is a reliever. ... Miami optioned LHP Justin Nicolino (2-4, 5.17 ERA) to Triple-A New Orleans. Miami selected the contract of RHP Paul Clemens from New Orleans. Clemens was 6-4 with a 4.30 ERA and two complete games in 14 starts at New Orleans. In 48 appearances in the majors, Clemens, 28, is 4-8 with a 5.51 ERA. ... Nicolino, 24, hasn't won a game since May 3. He went seven straight games without lasting at least six innings. ... Colorado hopes LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-4, 7.61 ERA) is back on track after winning his previous start, pitching five scoreless innings against the Yankees. De La Rosa, Colorado's career wins leader (81), starts the series finale on Monday against Clemens.