MLB Scores: Marlins, 2, Giants, 0

The Miami Marlins suffered yet another brutal loss on Monday night. The game went 14 innings, Miami squandered a 5-1 lead, and Miami had to use 21 players (including nine pitchers), in an 8-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants. San Francisco was clearly the team that was most impacted by the grueling game, as their bats went silent when the two teams met again on Tuesday evening at Marlins Park. Tom Koehler continued his recent string of dominance, as he pitched a gem in the Marlins 2-0 victory over San Francisco. Miami now has a full one game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL Wild Card.

The Marlins didn’t give Koehler much run support, but they did just enough to support Koehler’s brilliant performance. Koehler followed up last week’s one run outing by throwing seven shutout innings. He allowed two hits and three walks, and he fanned six Giants’ batters. Miami gave Koehler all the run support he needed in the bottom half of the first inning. Giancarlo Stanton got it all started, when he doubled to left, which scored Dee Gordon, and it gave the Marlins the early 1-0 advantage. Marcell Ozuna would pad that lead, when he scored Martin Prado after grounding out to Brandon Crawford.

The Giants had no answers for Koehler and the rest of the Marlins pitching staff, as they only were able to tally three hits. Once Koehler was pulled after seven innings, Brian Ellington pitched a clean inning in the eighth, and Fernando Rodney bounced back from his recent slump by picking up the save. Matt Moore got the start for the Giants, and he had a decent outing. Moore allowed two runs and three hits, while striking out seven batters in six innings of work.

Rodney picked up his first save with the Marlins since being traded from the San Diego Padres. Rodney is expected to be the Marlins closer while A.J. Ramos is sidelined after being placed on the 15-day DL. The Marlins didn’t exactly have a hitting clinic, as they only had four hits, but they didn’t need to get many hits with the way Koehler pitched. These two squads will play the rubber match of this series tomorrow at 12:10 PM.

Source: FanGraphs

Hero of the Game: Tom Koehler (0.39)

Goat of the Game: Brandon Crawford (-0.15)

Play of the Game: Giancarlo Stanton doubled to left, Dee Gordon scores (.140)