Haren Escapes Repeated Jams To Help Marlins Beat Reds 8-1
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The first half of the season has not been kind to the Miami Marlins, but they head into the MLB All-Star Break on a positive note.
Dan Haren repeatedly pitched out of jams and allowed only one run in six innings to help the Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 Sunday.
Miami took three games in the four-game set.
The Reds stranded seven runners in scoring position against Haren, and threatened in all but one inning he worked. They went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position against the right-hander.
The Reds' defense was no better, committing a pair of errors that resulted in three unearned runs.
Justin Bour had three hits and three RBIs for the Marlins, who scored 22 runs in the final two games of the series and won three of four from the Reds. Casey McGehee, signed Friday for a second stint with Miami, drove in two runs for the second game in a row.
Haren (7-5) out-pitched Johnny Cueto (6-6), who allowed five runs, three earned, in five innings. Reds All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier had two hits and an RBI but also made his 11th error, which allowed Miami to score two unearned runs.
An errant throw home by shortstop Eugenio Suarez resulted in another unearned run as the Marlins blew the game open with three runs in the seventh.
Three Miami relievers retired the final nine batters in order to complete a five-hitter.
Both teams finished disappointing first halves. The Marlins (38-51) began the day with the second-worst record in the majors, while the Reds (39-47) were 15½ games behind NL Central leader St. Louis.
Haren, who is expected to be on the market as the trade deadline approaches, lowered his ERA to 3.24. He allowed five hits, walked three and threw 104 pitches, but the only runner to score against him was the game's leadoff batter.
The Reds' first three hitters reached, and Frazier singled home a run. But Haren escaped further damage by retiring the next three batters, setting the tone for the game.
Marlon Byrd went 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position against Haren and stranded five.
Bour and McGehee hit back-to-back doubles as the Marlins rallied in a three-run fourth, which put them ahead to stay, 3-1. Frazier mishandled a two-out grounder in the fifth, and Bour took advantage by hitting a two-run double for a 5-1 lead.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: INF Martin Prado (shoulder) will return to Single-A Jupiter on a rehab assignment and is expected to be activated for the Marlins' next game Friday at Philadelphia. He may fill in at 2B for All-Star Dee Gordon, who is expected to be sidelined at least a week with a dislocated left thumb, president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Ace Jose Fernandez (2-0, 2.08) is scheduled to make his third start since returning from Tommy John at Philadelphia on Friday
Reds: Mike Leake (6-5, 4.08) is scheduled to start at home Friday against Cleveland. He'll be followed by Anthony DeSclafani and Cueto.
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