Several things were in the Marlins' favor on Friday night before Miami took the field for game two of a four game series with the San Francisco Giants.
Ricky Nolasco was 4-0 with a minuscule earned run average in his career at AT&T Park. Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison were being productive in the middle of the Marlins' lineup. And as a team, the Marlins had won eight consecutive games against the Giants in their ballpark.
Despite the fact that Nolasco didn't have his best command, the Marlins were able to defeat the Giants 6-3 for the ninth straight time in San Francisco, setting a club record.
Nolasco Not Sharp, Was Able to Battle
Before the start of the game, starter Ricky Nolasco was asked how he would feel if he was traded to San Francisco prior to the July 31 deadline.
Nolasco acknowledged what it would be like, but put emphasis on living in the moment and pitching well while he was still with Miami.
Over his five and two thirds innings, he gave up nine hits and three earned runs while walking one and striking out a pair.
Nolasco appeared to be struggling with his command, and as a result gave up several hits with runners in scoring position. Nick Noonan, Marco Scutaro, and Hunter Pence, who has been successful in his career against Nolasco, all had RBI hits.
LoMo Finds The Gaps
Miami took a quick 1-0 lead as a result of a solo home run off the bat of first baseman Logan Morrison in the second inning. Morrison's first home run of the season was crushed to left field.
Morrison also had an RBI triple off of Giants starter Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning which put the Marlins in a position to tie the game.
Marcell Ozuna and The Eighth Inning
It's what Marcell Ozuna didn't do in the bottom of the fifth inning that got Nolasco into a jam.
With a runner on first and two outs, Hunter Pence hit a ball to center field. Ozuna charged it, but came up empty as it appeared he overran it.
Ozuna tied the game with a two out single in the top of the sixth, and for the second straight night gave the Marlins the lead in the eighth inning.
With runners on first and second and two outs, Ozuna hit a ball to right field to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead. Miami added two more as Greg Dobbs and Adeiny Hechavarria followed with RBI singles to make it a 6-3 game.
Cishek saves it for Ramos
Although he gave up a pair of hits, Steve Cishek saved the game for A.J. Ramos, who earned his first major league win in relief.
Source: FanGraphs