Hammel's 11 Strikeouts Stifle Marlins, Cubs Win 5-1
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MIAMI (AP) – Jason Hammel had a career-high 11 strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 Monday night.
With his start pushed back because of a cracked fingernail and a rainout, Hammel (4-2) pitched for the first time in eight days, and he seemed to benefit from the extra rest. He allowed one run, four hits and no walks, lowering his ERA to 2.82.
Hammel threw 117 pitches, his highest total since 2009. Two relievers completed a six-hitter, and the Marlins struck out 13 times.
The Cubs had scored only 13 runs in their previous seven games, and they showed a little offensive life with eight hits. Starlin Castro hit his fourth homer, and Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant each had an RBI double.
Jose Urena (0-2), making his second major league start, improved on his rocky debut but allowed three runs in six innings. The Marlins fell to 4-10 under manager Dan Jennings.
The Cubs scored twice in the first, when their first three batters reached. Rizzo doubled home a run, and another scored on Jorge Soler's groundout.
Addison Russell's two-out RBI single in the fourth made it 3-0.
Sloppiness by the Cubs helped the Marlins score their only run in the fourth. Giancarlo Stanton singled, took second on a wild pitch, stole third and continued home when catcher Miguel Montero's errant throw sailed into left field.
Shortstop Castro made a diving catch to rob major league batting leader Dee Gordon of a hit. Gordon went 0 for 4, dropping his average to .370.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: SS Adeiny Hechavarria missed his third game in a row because a sore left shoulder. He'll likely be back in the lineup Tuesday, Jennings said.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Among active pitchers, Miami LHP Brad Hand (0-1, 4.50) has the worst record in the majors as a starter with at least 20 decisions, according to STATS. He's 4-18 in 32 career starts with an ERA of 4.45 heading into Tuesday's start against the Cubs. Hand pitched five shutout innings but received no decision in his only start this year.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 3.76) is scheduled to start for Chicago.
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