Greinke Pitches Into 8th Inning, Dodgers Blank Marlins
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MIAMI (AP) – Zack Greinke pitched 7 2-3 innings Sunday for his first victory since May 5, and the Los Angeles Dodgers took the rubber game of their series against the Miami Marlins, winning 2-0.
Greinke (6-2) allowed four hits and held the opposition without a run for his third start in a row, extending his scoreless streak to 20 2-3 innings.
In the previous two games, he departed with the score 0-0, and this time he left leading 2-0.
Adrian Gonzalez had three hits, including an RBI double. Howie Kendrick had two hits and drove in a run.
Greinke came into the game with the lowest ERA in the majors and reduced it to 1.58. He has an ERA of 1.59 over the past 10 games but is just 1-2 during that span because of poor run support.
Two relievers completed a five-hitter for the Dodgers' 11th shutout. Kenley Jansen pitched around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.
The Dodgers have allowed 13 runs in their past eight games, and the bullpen has thrown 12 2-3 consecutive scoreless innings in the past five games.
Jose Urena (1-4) pitched five innings, and a defensive misplay resulted in the only run he allowed.
The Marlins fell to 1-5 on their homestand. They were playing their second consecutive game without slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks with a broken left hand.
Miami went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position and is 2 for 38 (.053) in those situations during the homestand. The Marlins are batting .203 in their past 11 games.
Josh Beckett, who won the clinching game of the 2003 World Series for the Marlins and tossed a no-hitter for the Dodgers, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. And in the early going, Greinke and Urena threw like Beckett at his best.
The Dodgers, who were hurt by defensive mistakes in their loss Saturday, benefited from a Marlins lapse in the fifth inning.
With runners at first and third and one out in the fifth, Kendrick hit a grounder to second that looked like a routine double play ball. But shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria's relay throw to first was wide, and first baseman Justin Bour was unable to stay on the bag because of poor footwork, allowing Kendrick to beat the throw for a 1-0 Dodgers lead.
Gonzalez's double scored a run in the seventh.
The Dodgers won despite going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranding 12.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig, back in lineup after missing three starts with a torn callus on his left hand, went 0 for 2 with three walks.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Mat Latos (2-5, 5.49) is scheduled to start Tuesday against Giants RHP Ryan Vogelsong (6-5, 4.05).
Dodgers: RHP Mike Bolsinger (4-2, 2.95) is scheduled to start Monday at Arizona against RHP Allen Webster (1-1, 6.46).
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