Marlins Defeat the Cardinals, Braves Shut Out the Giants
In a battle of the league’s worst vs. the league’s best over the weekend, the Miami Marlins (21-47) came out the winner in their series against the St. Louis Cardinals (44-25).
Ricky Nolasco
On Sunday, the Marlins defeated the Cardinals, 7-2. Miami righty Ricky Nolasco (4-7) gave up one run with three hits over seven innings.
With the loss, the NL Central-leading Cardinals saw their first lost series since the one back against the Pittsburgh Pirates during April 26-28. The Marlins took Friday’s game (5-4), while St. Louis got the win on Saturday (13-7).
Over the weekend, Miami scored 19 runs against the Cardinals, who have the lowest MLB ERA.
However, having Cardinals lefty Tyler Lyons (2-3) on the mound for only his fifth league start didn’t help matters. Sunday’s loss was his third consecutive one after winning his first two games. Lyons pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs.
Marlins Juan Pierre brought in two runs with two hits, extending his hitting streak now to 12 games; Placido Polanco and Justin Ruggiano had two-RBI hits each.
Pierre said of the win via the Associated Press, “We knew they were a great team coming in here. This is a big series win. To beat a team like that definitely gives you confidence.”
The Marlins have now endured their best stretch of the season, winning eight of their last 14 games. They are finally above .300 but yes, they’re still the proud owners of the worst record in baseball.
As for the Cardinals, without Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday in the lineup, they only had five hits (all singles). Carlos Beltran ended his 14-game hitting streak, going 0 for 4 while Matt Carpenter also joined the no-hit party.
Looking ahead, the Marlins won’t get a break as they’ll play the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks (37-32) on Monday night. Hoping to keep their momentum could be tough as they’ll face undefeated lefty Patrick Corbin (9-0).
The Marlins will bring righty Jacob Turner (1-0) but this won’t be good enough for the win as Arizona will snap its three-game losing streak (-215, 8 o/u).
Braves defeat Giants, 3-0
The Atlanta Braves (41-28) 3-0 victory Sunday capped the win for their weekend series against the San Francisco Giants (35-33).
Julio Teheran
For Atlanta, Freddie Freeman’s three runs and one RBI and Julio Teheran’s (5-3) six innings of pitching, which included getting out of two based-loaded jams, were just some of the contributions that led to the win.
Teheran gave up seven hits with one walk and struck out eight.
This was his second win in two starts against the Giants since his May 9 game and his first home start after his close no-hitter on June 5.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Teheran via MLB.com, “Maturation, that’s what it is. Here’s a guy that 12 starts ago, it might’ve blown up on him, and here’s a guy that can compose himself. He’s been through those situations, and he did a good job.”
Following Teheran’s good outing, Luis Avilan and Jordan Walden both pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings.
Giants rightly Tim Lincecum (4-7) didn’t fare as well on Sunday as he allowed six hits with five walks in six innings. Two of three runs were earned ones; he did strike out three batters.
Lincecum has now lost six of nine in his most recent starts with a 6.92 ERA in these losses.
After Sunday’s win, the Braves remain at the top of the NL East, with the Washington Nationals sitting 6.5 games behind.
Atlanta is +750 to win this year’s World Series.
On Monday, Atlanta will host the fourth place NL East team, the New York Mets (25-39). They sit behind 13 1/2 games and will enter the game with some momentum after defeating the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, 4-3.
Righty Dillon Gee (5-6) will take the mound for the Mets while righty Tim Hudson (4-6) gets pitching duty for the Braves.
