Tough-Luck Marcum Not Getting Help From Mets

MIAMI (CBSNewYork/AP) — Shaun Marcum struggled early this season, and lately he's been pitching through tough luck.

All that has added up to an 0-6 winless start with the New York Mets.

After striking out a career-high 12 over seven strong innings in a no-decision Sunday night against Atlanta, Marcum held Miami scoreless through six before a four-run seventh propelled the Marlins to a 5-1 win over the Mets on Friday night.

"It's just one of those nights where he kept us in the game, gave us a chance, we didn't mount much offense — but I certainly wasn't disappointed with the way Shaun pitched, that's for sure," New York manager Terry Collins said.

After sweeping four Subway Series games from the New York Yankees, the Mets had their longest winning streak of the season snapped at five.

Marcum (0-6) allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings, becoming the first Mets pitcher to open a season with six consecutive losses since Mike Pelfrey went 0-7 in 2007. Marcum signed a $4 million, one-year contract with New York last winter after spending the past two seasons in Milwaukee.

"I feel like I'm locating the ball well," Marcum said. "I actually felt like I located the ball today better than I did against Atlanta. That's the frustrating part about the game, you make quality pitches and they get hit."

Jacob Turner (1-0) pitched seven scoreless innings in his season debut and Marcell Ozuna had three hits to help the Marlins halt a nine-game losing streak.

"I feel I've been throwing the ball like this in Triple-A," said Turner, who was drafted ninth overall by Detroit in 2009 and traded to the Marlins last season. "To be honest with you, it was a matter of time of making the adjustments I needed to make and get everything right."

Recalled from Triple-A New Orleans before the game, Turner allowed five hits and walked one while striking out three.

"Turner did a tremendous job coming up," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "I know he was excited to get the opportunity to go out there and start."

Turner was 3-4 with a 4.47 ERA in 10 starts with New Orleans before the promotion.

"The last five or six starts, everything's coming together," Turner said. "Obviously, it took a little bit longer than I would have liked, but I'm happy that it is here now."

Pinch-hitter Jordan Brown hit a two-run double, and Ed Lucas and Jeff Mathis each drove home a run in the pivotal seventh as the Marlins won for the third time in 19 games.

"A lot of good things out there tonight," Redmond said.

Ozuna led off the fifth with a single to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, the longest current run in the majors. He is batting .356 (21 for 59) during the streak.

"I feel good because I'm enjoying my game," Ozuna said. "The manager and coaches give me confidence and always stress that I remain calm and also have fun."

Marcum got out of a bases-loaded jam when Jeff Mathis bounced into a double play, keeping the game scoreless.

Derek Dietrich doubled to start the seventh for the Marlins and Ozuna followed with a bloop single. Two batters later, Lucas, making his first major league start, blooped a single of his own for his first career hit after 10 years in the minors. That scored Dietrich for a 1-0 lead.

"It's been 10 years. I never stopped hoping," Lucas said. "I finally got an opportunity. Hopefully there will be more to come."

Mathis came up with the bases loaded again and this time delivered a sacrifice fly. Brown batted for Turner and hit a two-run double to left-center, making it 4-0 and ending Marcum's night.

"It's frustrating," Marcum said. "I think every pitcher will tell you it's more frustrating making quality pitches and having bloopers fall in."

Daniel Murphy hit an RBI double in the eighth for the Mets. Ozuna had an RBI double in the bottom half.

NOTES: Ozuna's hitting streak is the second-longest by a Marlins rookie behind Edgar Renteria's 22-game run in 1996. ... Murphy is hitting .382 (29 for 76) in his last 19 games. ... Miami rookie RHP Jose Fernandez (2-3, 3.78 ERA) will face the Mets for the third time this season Saturday when he pitches against RHP Collin McHugh, a replacement for ailing LHP Jonathon Niese. Fernandez has not received a decision in his first two starts against New York and has a 3.00 ERA. "He's got one of the better arms in the entire league," Collins said.

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