Stanton and Riddle Homer, Marlins Defeat Angels 9-2

The Miami Marlins (18-30) defeated the Los Angeles Angels (26-27) 9-2 Sunday, giving them their first series victory since winning two of three against the San Diego Padres in April. Miami had lost 10 consecutive series’ before Sunday’s victory.

Giancarlo Stanton, who finished the game going 3-for-5, put the Marlins on the board early with a solo home run in the first inning, but the Angels answered in the fourth with a two-run home run from Martin Maldonado. Kole Calhoun drew a walk to start the fourth and was followed by Maldonado who crushed a Jose Urena slider to left, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

Urena got into a major jam after giving up the Maldonado home run when he walked Jefry Marte, Nolan Fontana, and Cameron Maybin. The Angels had the bases loaded with Andrelton Simmons up to bat but were unable to capitalize and extend their lead.

The Angels led 2-1 heading into the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Urena walked Mike Trout, who stole second base a few moments later and got up from the play in pain. Trout reportedly left the game after finishing out the inning with a thumb sprain. He finished 0-for-2 with a walk, strikeout and stolen base before exiting the game, and will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Angels starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker (4-3) was solid for Los Angeles up until the fifth inning when he gave up four earned runs. Derek Dietrich hit a leadoff double to right field to start the bottom half of the inning and later advanced to third on a Christian Colon sacrifice bunt. Ichiro Suzuki then recorded an RBI single that scored Dietrich, tying the game 2-2. Ichiro then scored on Riddle’s two-run home run to give Miami a 4-2 lead.

The Marlins extended their lead in the sixth after J.T. Realmuto hit a leadoff double. Colon drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Tyler Moore, who hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Realmuto. Riddle continued his hot day on the very next pitch with a double to left that scored Colon and gave Miami a 6-2 lead.

Urena (3-2) was taken out of the game after throwing five innings of three-hit baseball. He allowed just the two runs but struggled with a high pitch count after walking six and fanning seven. He threw 103 pitches in five innings of work.

The Miami bullpen, which has been an absolute roller coaster this season, was dynamite, finishing the game with just one hit allowed in the latter four innings. Brad Ziegler, David Phelps, Nick Wittgren and A.J. Ramos were able to hold the Angels down and secure the series victory.

Miami would add three more runs in the eighth inning after Christian Yelich was walked with the bases loaded and Marcell Ozuna hit a two-RBI double to right.

The Marlins will finish their 10-game home stand this week against the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks. Edinson Volquez will look to pick up his first win of the season against Jeremy Hellickson Monday night.

Hero of the Game: J.T. Riddle (.250)

Villain of the Game: Matt Shoemaker (-.300)

Play of the Game: J.T. Riddle two-run homer (.236)