Yelich Throws Out Runner To End Game, Marlins Beat White Sox
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Left fielder Christian Yelich threw out pinch-runner Carlos Sanchez trying to score from second base on a two-out single in the ninth inning, giving the Miami Marlins a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox Sunday.
Fernando Rodney got his third save for Miami despite allowing three hits in the ninth, including a solo homer by Tim Anderson.
With runners at first and second, Tyler Saladino singled to left, but Yelich charged to field the ball on one hop and threw on the fly to catcher Jeff Mathis, who blocked the plate and tagged Sanchez for the game-ending out.
Ichiro Suzuki drove in a runner from second with a sacrifice bunt to help the Marlins transition to small ball without slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
The victory averted a series sweep and provided a morale boost for the Marlins, who put Stanton and left-hander Adam Conley on the disabled list before the game. Stanton was to undergo an MRI after hurting his left groin, and Conley is expected to be back in 15 days from tendinitis in his pitching hand.
The Marlins had three infield hits, including a two-run single by pitcher Tom Koehler to hike his average to .103. They trailed 2-0 before scoring three times in the fifth, thanks to four consecutive singles and Suzuki's RBI bunt, which caught the White Sox napping.
The bunt came with runners at first and second and nobody out, and catcher Omar Narvaez hustled toward the mound to field the ball and throw Suzuki out. But that left the plate uncovered, and Robert Andino — who had been at second base — kept running and scored without a throw.
Martin Prado's RBI single in the seventh put Miami ahead to stay. Marcell Ozuna snapped a 1-for-28 slump with two hits and drove in a run. Suzuki, who will become a regular with Stanton out, didn't add to his career total of 3,003 hits but contributed his 13th RBI and scored Miami's final run.
Chris Sale (14-6) allowed five runs in 6 2/3 innings. He's 0-4 in his past six starts and hasn't won since his suspension for cutting up the team's throwback jerseys July 23.
Koehler allowed three runs in six innings. Mike Dunn (3-1) pitched a perfect seventh.
Chicago's Adam Eaton homered on the game's first pitch. Jose Abreu hit an RBI single in the first inning, and a game-tying double that caromed off the third-base bag in the sixth.
LATE ARRIVAL
2B Andino, recalled from Triple-A to take Stanton's roster spot, flew overnight from Las Vegas, landed at 9 a.m. and went directly to the ballpark. "I ain't complaining," he said. The nine-year veteran went 1 for 3 in his first major league game since 2013.
GLOVE GEMS
2B Saladino retreated into short center field to make running catches that robbed Martin Prado and Adeiny Hechavarria of hits. The latter grab came with two runners aboard to end the second inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins INF Derek Dietrich was sore after being hit by a pitch Saturday for the 22nd time, this time in the right leg. He walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth Sunday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP David Phelps (5-6, 2.40) is scheduled to start Monday when Miami begins a four-game series at Cincinnati. The Marlins swept a three-game set from the Reds in July.
White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (9-8, 2.85) is scheduled to start Tuesday when Chicago opens a three-game series at Cleveland. The Indians have won six in a row from the White Sox.
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