Chris O’Grady impresses in debut, Marlins beat Giants 5-4

Just before the All-Star break, the Marlins are starting to gain control of a season that nearly went awry a month ago. Miami won another series after they defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Saturday night.

The Marlins quickly took the lead when Christian Yelich doubled home Dee Gordon. Marcell Ozuna would add to the early lead when he drove in Yelich to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Justin Bour proved he was ready for the Home Run Derby when he hit his 20th homer of the season, putting the Marlins up 3-0.

The Giants finally got on the board when Brandon Crawford singled, which scored Brandon Belt. By the seventh inning, the Giants cut the lead to only one.

In the ninth, the Marlins picked up a much needed insurance run when J.T. Riddle scored on a wild pitch by George Kontos. San Francisco scored a run in the ninth, and they had runners at the corners with two outs.

A.J. Ramos would strike out Hunter Pence, as he recorded his 16th save of the season. In his major league debut, Chris O'Grady was very solid for the Marlins. He allowed three runs and five hits while striking out four in 5.1 innings pitched.

The bullpen was strong, as they allowed only one run and two hits. Jeff Samardzija allowed four runs and nine hits in 7.0 innings for the Giants. Ozuna recorded two more RBI, which gives him 69 on the season.

With one game left before the break, the Marlins are six games below .500. They are nine games back in the wild card, and they are 10.5 games back for first place in the NL East.

These two teams will meet again at 4:05 EST today in what should be a pretty good matchup. Jose Urena takes the mound for the Marlins, while Johnny Cueto will pitch for the Giants.

Kingfish: Brandon Belt (.135)

Flounder: Jeff Smardzija (-.151)

Play of the game: Yelich double in the first, Gordon scores (.104)