The Marlins took the second game of the series behind a solid performance by Chris Volstad and some timely hitting and aggressive play. The Marlins were out hit by the Dodgers, but you know something, when you bunch your hits and walks together, good things can happen. And happen they did.
The Dodgers got on the board in the first inning with Aaron Miles hitting a leadoff single to left to start the game. Then some questionable fielding followed by the Marlins advancing Miles to third with one out. After which, Andre Ethier broke the Major League Record hitting streak for April by doubling Miles home. Volstad struck out the next two hitters to end the inning.
The Marlins, well, Gaby Sanchez, tied the score in the second with a deep home run to left-center and it would stay at a pair of ones until the fourth.
In the Dodgers half of the fourth, Jerry Sands doubled with one out and James Loney singled to left moving Sands to third. The Marlins wouldn't find a way to get Loney out all night. He went 4 for 4, with all of his hits being singles. Anyways, Rod Barajas hit a sacrifice fly to center to give the Dodgers the lead again at 2-1.
That would be the end of the Dodgers scoring, Chris Volstad found a groove and pretty much nullified the L.A. bats. Oh sure, some hitters still got on base (see Loney) but there they would wither and die.
But in order for the Marlins to get the win they had some more work to do at the plate. And they answered immediately. In the Marlins half of the fourth, with one out, Hanley Ramirez singled to left. Gaby followed with ground out to third baseman Miles. However when Hanley started running he never slowed down, rounding second and trying to take third on the play, forcing the Dodgers to make two across the diamond throws. The initial one to first and the relay back to third. In actuality, they executed the throws very well. However, the catching of the second throw proved to be a problem when Miles tagged Hanley but forgot to catch the ball. As the ball trickled harmlessly towards the Dodgers' dugout, Hanley trotted home to tie the score at 2.
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Marlins would get Volstad the win. Chris Coghlan led off with a single to right. In, what I guess was a hit and run, Cogz broke for second and Hanley hit a ground ball right where Ivan DeJesus used to be since he went to cover second. Resulting in a single for Hanley and Cogz moving to third. Clayton Kershaw walked Gaby on five pitches to load the bases. With Stanton up, Kershaw threw five straight fastballs with the goal of them all being up and on the outside part of the plate. However, pitch number 5 didn't hit its intended location and instead was low and over the plate and Stanton hit a single to right to drive in Cogz and Hanley. Making the score 4-2, Marlins.
Randy Choate and Clay Hensley pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. And Leo Nunez came on to closeout the game. As always with Leo, it got interesting. Loney singled (of course) to start the ninth bringing the tying run to the plate. But I guess Leo was studying Volstad's approach and retired the next three hitters leaving Loney standing on first with nowhere to go.
The Marlins have taken the series and come tomorrow, are going for the Sweep!