Marlins Aim For Quick 2-Game Sweep Of Red Sox
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Wins haven't been easy to come by for the Miami Marlins of late, and hopes weren't high based on their mid-week opponent.
The Boston Red Sox couldn't take advantage of their leadoff hitter's splendid return, and their lengthy run of dominance over the Marlins ended.
The Red Sox are hoping to get former Marlins player Hanley Ramirez back as they try to split a two-game set Wednesday and could have manager John Farrell in the dugout.
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5 with two RBIs in his return from a concussion that had kept him out since July 28, but the Red Sox (50-63) blew a four-run lead in a 5-4 loss in 10 innings Tuesday. Junichi Tazawa squandered a save attempt in the first game after Boston announced that closer Koji Uehara is out for the year because of a broken right wrist.
The Marlins (45-68) had lost seven in a row to Boston, including two defeats this season. It was just the fourth win in 17 games for Miami, which is also 2-7 in its last nine at home.
"We got down 4-0, but this team doesn't quit," said first baseman Justin Bour, who hit the game-ending single.
Ramirez missed his third consecutive game because of an ailing toe. Farrell was expected to lead the Red Sox on Tuesday, one day after undergoing hernia surgery in Detroit, but went back to the team hotel while bench coach Torey Lovullo served as acting manager.
Farrell's status is uncertain for Wednesday's finale as Boston looks to finish its eight-game road trip 4-4.
"It will be a day-by-day thing with him," Lovullo said. "If he can do it, I can guarantee he'll be out here. When you get to a certain spot, you have to sit back and listen to a professional. I think John wisely went home and got some rest."
The Red Sox have alternated wins and losses in their past six games, and Eduardo Rodriguez (6-4, 4.17 ERA) will try to keep that pattern going with another quality outing. The rookie left-hander is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his last three starts but took a 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday after giving up two runs in seven innings.
Rodriguez got a combined 15 runs of support in his previous two games.
"He pitched a very strong seven innings," Farrell told MLB's official website. "I thought he deserved better given the way he threw the baseball."
Rodriguez will make his first interleague start while another rookie southpaw, Adam Conley, will make his second in the majors. Conley (1-0, 4.05) is in the rotation because Jose Urena was placed on the disabled list Friday with a bruised left knee.
Conley gave up two runs in five innings in his other start, a 14-3 rout of Cincinnati on July 11.
The Marlins are hopeful Christian Yelich can return after sitting Tuesday because of a bruised right knee. Yelich is batting .387 with four doubles in his last seven games.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
