The Sports Xchange
Jul 22, 2017
CINCINNATI -- Jose Urena allowed a run on three hits through six innings and Christian Yelich had two RBIs, lifting the Miami Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Great American Ball Park.
The start of Friday's game was delayed one hour and 47 minutes by rain.
Urena (8-4) walked two and struck out four over his 90-pitch outing. He also doubled for the first time for just his second hit this season.
Christian Yelich went 1-for-3 with two RBIs for Miami (43-51) which snapped a three-game losing streak to the Reds (40-56).
A.J. Ramos retired the Reds in order in the ninth for his 18th save.
Reds right-hander Homer Bailey, making his sixth start since coming off the disabled list on June 24, recovered from a rocky first inning to allow two earned runs on eight hits over six innings. Bailey (2-4) showed increased velocity as compared to his previous outings, topping out at 97 miles per hour.
Miami missed a chance to expand its 2-1 lead in the sixth when Marcell Ozuna was thrown out by Billy Hamilton from shallow center trying to score from second on J.T. Realmuto's single.
After turning three inning-ending double plays, the Reds failed to turn a fourth in the seventh inning when Scooter Gennett's throw sailed into left field putting runners at first and third. The Marlins took advantage when Yelich delivered an RBI single to make the score 3-1.
Junichi Tazawa worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the seventh to maintain the Marlins' two-run lead and extend his scoreless streak to 10 innings.
Following the long rain delay, Bailey had another miserable first inning with two runs allowed on three hits, including doubles by Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Bour.
Bailey struck out Marcell Ozuna but was charged with a wild pitch, allowing Stanton to score from third and putting the Marlins ahead 2-0. Bailey has allowed eight first-inning runs in his six starts.
Both teams missed scoring chances early in the game.
The Marlins grounded into inning-ending double plays in the first, third and fourth innings. The Reds had the bases loaded in the fourth but Stanton raced in to snare Tucker Barnhart's line drive for the third out.
The double plays were a huge assist to Bailey, who needed 73 pitches to roll through five innings.
NOTES: Miami recalled RHP Brian Ellington from Triple-A New Orleans to take the roster spot of RHP David Phelps who was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. ... Reds RHP Robert Stephenson is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to make his first start of the season on Saturday. ... Marlins RHP Brad Ziegler, on the disabled list with a right back strain, planned to throw a bullpen on Friday in Jupiter, Fla. ... Marlins OF Ichiro Suzuki flied out to center as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, leaving him four hits shy of Craig Biggio (3,060) for 22nd place on baseball's all-time list.