MLB Scores: Marlins 6 Cardinals 3

The Marlins inched their way closer to the top of the division with another win on Sunday, defeating the Cardinals 6-3.

The bats were alive and on fire in the win, with Ichiro Sukuki, Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich leading the way. Suzuki reached base three times, recording a single in the first, fifth and eighth innings to put him at 2,994 for his MLB career. 3,000 is nearly here for the 42-year-old legend.

Stanton stayed hot going 2 for 4, with two runs and one RBI, and Yelich had himself a day going 2 for 4, with one run and three RBI's.

Adam Conley (6-5) picked up a no-decision, but had a career day on the mound. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts, and gave up three runs on three hits in 5.1 innings of fantastic work. Other than allowing a solo home run in the second inning to Cardinals outfield Matt Holliday, Conley was phenomenal.

Michael Wacha (5-7) struggled early and often for the Cardinals. His pitch count went over 100 in just four innings of work, giving up seven hits, three runs and two walks, while striking out four. The Marlins were making great contact throughout the game and were able to get multiple fouls balls every at-bat versus Wacha.

Wacha's day ended after Suzuki led off the top of the fifth with a single, followed by a ground-rule double by Martin Prado and two RBI double by Yelich giving the Marlins a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Conley threw a passed ball scoring Alberto Rosario to cut the Miami lead to 3-2. On the very next at-bat, Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria forced an off-balance throw from a slow rolling ground ball that went by Don Kelly at first. Holliday was able to score off the play and tied the game up 3-3. Conley was able to keep his pitch count stable and had control of the plate for most of the game.

The game wouldn't be tied for long, as Yelich record another hit leading off the seventh inning. Stanton crushed an RBI-double to right center scoring Yelich to put the Marlins back on top 4-3. Stanton would eventually score on a sacrifice fly by Kelly extending the Miami lead to 5-3.

Kyle Barraclough, Fernando Rodney and A.J. Ramos all pitched well out of the bullpen combining for six strikeouts in 3.2 innings and allowed just one hit. It was another dominant performance for the Marlins pen.

The victory keeps Miami in a tie with the Mets for the final wild card spot, and 6.5 back of the Washington Nationals in the division. They will travel to Philadelphia for a four game set versus the Phillies, before coming back home for a pivotal series versus the Mets.

WPA Graph:

Source: FanGraphs

Attendance: 43,046

Hero of the Game: Giancarlo Stanton (+.267)

Goat of the Game: Jonathan Broxton (-.303)

Play of the Game: Giancarlo Stanton's RBI-double in the seventh inning (+.256)