Stanton Hits 40th HR As Marlins Beat Rockies 6-3
MIAMI (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit his Major League-leading 40th home run as the Miami Marlins beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Friday night.
Derek Dietrich hit a tie-breaking bloop single to spark a three-run eighth inning to help the Marlins take the lead.
Stanton's blast pulled him within two of the Marlins' franchise record of 42 set by Gary Sheffield in 1996. Stanton has hit seven home runs in his last eight games to reach the 40-home run plateau for the first time in his eight-year career.
Junichi Tazawa (2-2) tossed a scoreless eighth to earn the victory and Brad Ziegler pitched the ninth to record his third save in six chances. Jake McGee (0-2) took the loss for the Rockies.
The Rockies took a 2-0 lead in the third on Nolan Arenado two-run home run, his 26th, making him the first player in the majors with 100 RBIs. Gerardo Parra homered in the sixth for the Rockies, who have lost three of four after dropping the first of a three-game series in Miami.
Dietrich scored Miami's first run in the fifth when Miguel Rojas grounded into a double play.
Parra, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, also had two assists from left field throwing out runners in the third and fourth innings.
Stanton's solo homer to left field in the sixth off Jon Gray pulled the Marlins within 3-2. It was his 25th solo home run of the season.
Christian Yelich followed Stanton with a double to left and scored on a sacrifice fly by J.T. Realmuto to the game at 3.
Gray allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings, striking out four and walking two.
The Rockies trailed for the first time when Jake McGee (0-2) allowed a lead-off single to Yelich, who advanced to second on a walk, and scored on Dietrich's bloop fly single to center field.
Tomas Telis followed with a two-run triple to stretch Miami's lead to 6-3.
Miami starter Jose Urena allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking one.
ROCKIES UNDECIDED ON MONDAY STARTER
Colorado manager Bud Black is undecided on Monday's starting pitcher against Atlanta. Black is considering a trio of right-handers in Chad Bettis, Antonio Senzatela, and Tyler Chatwood.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: OF Ian Desmond (right calf strain) is "still a ways away" from beginning a rehab assignment, according to Black. Desmond has been on the disabled list since July 26.
Marlins: 1B Justin Bour (right oblique strain) is progressing with activity, but will not do any baseball-related activity until he is pain-free. . LHP Wei-Yin Chen (arm) is progressing with his throwing program and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice on Saturday. . RHP Kyle Barraclough (shoulder) threw 14 pitches in a GCL rehab assignment game on Thursday and is scheduled to throw one inning for Single-A Jupiter on Saturday. . SS JT Riddle (shoulder) had season-ending surgery on Friday to repair a torn labrum.
UP NEXT
Rockies: RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-3, 5.03 ERA) will take the mound in the second game of the series on Saturday. Hoffman is coming off one of his best performances of the season allowing one run and striking out eight over seven innings against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Marlins: LHP Justin Nicolino (0-1, 5.31) will make his return to the big leagues for the first time since a relief appearance on June 28 against the Mets. Nicolino is 7-11 with a 4.76 ERA in 30 career starts.
By CHRISTOPHER STOCK, Associated Press
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