A's Complete Sweep Of Marlins, 4-3
MIAMI (CBS/AP) -- Nate Freiman hit a three-run homer in his 2014 debut and the Oakland Athletics beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.
The Athletics trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning before breaking out against rookie Andrew Heaney with four consecutive hits, including Freiman's home run. Freiman, who spent all of last season with the A's, was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento before the game when right fielder Josh Reddick returned to the disabled list because of a right knee strain.
Tommy Milone (6-3) allowed two earned runs in seven innings to win his sixth consecutive decision, a career best. Closer Sean Doolittle was given the day off, and Ryan Cook pitched the final 1 1-3 innings for his first save.
The A's, playing in Miami for the first time since 2003, came from behind in all three games. They won their fourth in a row, improved to 7-1 in interleague play and reached the halfway point of 2014 a season-high 21 games above .500 (51-30).
The highly touted Heaney (0-3), making his third career start since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans, allowed four runs in six innings to raise his ERA to 5.29. The Marlins will have an off day Monday to lick their wounds after playing 17 consecutive days and going 5-12.
Miami's Marcell Ozuna hit a pinch-hit homer, his 14th, but the Marlins totaled only six hits and hit into three double plays. They had the best home record in the majors earlier this month, but have lost five in a row at Marlins Park.
Heaney was nursing a 1-0 lead with two out in the sixth when the AL West leaders made their move. Consecutive singles by Alberto Callaspo, Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson scored one run, and the 6-foot-8 Freiman pulled a pitch into the nightclub beyond the left-field fence.
Cespedes' single extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games.
Christian Yelich, back in the Marlins' lineup after being sidelined for 15 games by a back injury, made an impact with his first swing. He tripled off the wall to lead off the first inning, and when second baseman Callaspo made an errant relay throw, Yelich scored standing up.
NOTES: The game was halted for 10 minutes in the seventh inning while medical personnel treated two fans struck in the face by the same foul ball. There was no immediate information on the conditions of the spectators. ... Before the game, the Marlins recalled LHP Dan Jennings from Triple-A. ... Milone became the first A's pitcher to bat in consecutive games since Ken Holtzman in 1972. Milone flied out as a pinch-hitter Saturday. ... A's C Derek Norris (back) was unavailable for the second game in a row. ... The Athletics open a series Monday at Detroit when LHP Scott Kazmir (9-3, 2.66) pitches against RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-2, 2.64). ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (5-3, 2.32) is scheduled to start when the Marlins open a series at home Tuesday against Philadelphia.
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