Ichiro hits 3,000, Marlins win 10-7 versus Rockies

The Marlins picked up a big victory Sunday defeating the Rockies 10-7, and taking over the second wild card position from the Cardinals.

It was an offensive explosion from the start for Miami, as the Marlins got off to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

The hitting barrage began after Dee Gordon reached on an infield single. He was followed by a Martin Prado single and Christian Yelich two RBI-double to deep left center giving the Marlins its first runs of the game. Derek Dietrich continued the bombardment with a single advancing Yelich to third, and he later scored on a Jeff Mathis RBI-double. The Marlins led 4-0 after one.

Miami had a chance to extend the lead in the second inning, but Jon Gray was able to escape a big time jam to keep the Rockies deficit at four. Ichiro Suzuki stayed glued at 2,999 hits after he struck-out and grounded out in the first and third innings.

In the third inning, center-fielder Charlie Blackmon collected an RBI-single that scored Cristhian Adames and cut the Marlins lead to 4-1, but the Miami offense was unstoppable on Sunday. Adeiny Hechavarria hit a lead off single in the fourth inning and advanced to second after an Adam Conley sacrifice bunt. He would later score on a Prado two RBI-double extending the Marlins lead to 6-1. Giancarlo Stanton got into the hitting exhibition after he hit a two-run homer to right that put Miami up 8-1.

Things would get shaky for Miami in the middle innings after Adam Conley allowed a solo home run to Nolan Arenado leading off the bottom of the fourth. Rockies first-baseman Mark Reynolds hit a single on the next pitch and would later score on an Adames fielder's choice.

Conley's struggles would continue in the fifth inning after he walked LeMahieu and gave up a single to Dahl. Arenado then crushed a three run homer, his second of the game, to put Colorado within two. Miami led 8-6 through five innings and Conley's day was done.

Conley (8-6) picked up the win, but he allowed seven hits, six runs and four walks in five innings. Jon Gray (8-5) was rocked and picked up the loss for the Rockies. He was completely dominated allowing 10 hits and eight runs in just 3.2 innings.

After failing to reach base in the fifth, Ichiro got his fourth attempt in the seventh inning versus Colorado reliever Chris Rusin. Ichiro got ahead in the count and, on the third pitch of his at-bat, connected on a fastball. The ball was skied to right flying over Parra's head and hit off the wall. Suzuki scrambled into third for a stand-up triple and the chase was finally over. Ichiro finally collected his 3,000th hit and joined one of the most coveted clubs in all of sport.

He is the 30th member of the 3,000 hit club, the third oldest, and 14th fastest to reach the mark. Paul Molitor is the only other member to reach the milestone on a triple.

The Marlins and Rockies would both trade runs in the latter innings, but Miami would stay ahead and prevail with a 10-7 victory. Hunter Cervenka, Nick Wittgren, Kyle Barraclough and Fernando Rodney would come out of the bullpen to close out the game and secure the win on a historic day for baseball and the Marlins.

Miami is one game ahead of the Cardinals in the wild card race and will look to continue its hot streak at home versus the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox this week.

WPA Graph:

Source: FanGraphs

Hero of the Game: Nolan Arenado (+.320)...... Ichiro Suzuki!

Goat of the Game: Jon Gray (-.373)

Play of the Game: Nolan Arenado's three run homer in the fifth inning (+.161)..... Ichiro's 3,000th hit!