Stanton Homers Twice, But Marlins Lose To Braves 5-3
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MIAMI (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton was awesome with the bases empty. The Miami Marlins were awful with runners on.
Stanton hit two solo homers Friday, but the Marlins went 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and lost to the Atlanta Braves 5-3.
Stanton's homers included a tape-measure shot that tied the game in the seventh.
"We lost. They mean nothing," he said.
The Marlins slugger has 10 homers and a major league-high 35 RBIs.
NL batting leader Dee Gordon also padded his stats. He went 3 for 5 for Miami, hiking his average to .433. It was his 11th game with three or more hits.
The Braves trumped the Marlins' stars with an unlikely pair. Todd Cunningham had three hits in his first big league start, including a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and Phil Gosselin also contributed three hits.
"We got drafted together and have been through the whole minor league system together," said Gosselin, who made only his fifth start of the year. "It's the first time we played in a big league stadium together. It's pretty special."
Miami stranded 11 runners. Martin Prado left a runner in scoring position in each of his first four at-bats.
"We had lots of chances, especially early, to put some distance in that game and give us a little breathing room," manager Mike Redmond said. "But we weren't able to get the big hit."
The Marlins' biggest hits came with the bases empty. Stanton hit his second home run through the TV camera box beyond the 418-foot sign in center field — a first at Marlins Park, which opened in 2012.
"He was locked in tonight," Redmond said. "That first one was so high it was going to hit the ceiling. ...
"It could have been great had he gotten a couple of guys on base."
The Braves won despite twice losing a lead.
"We may have some shortcomings," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "But we don't have shortcomings in want-to and fight and battling back."
The score was 3-all when Nick Markakis doubled in the eighth off Mike Dunn (0-2), and he scored on Cunningham's single against Bryan Morris.
"I don't get fired up very often," Cunningham said, "but I think I gave a little fist pump or hand clap or something. I was pretty excited."
Cunningham, called up before the game from Triple-A, also scored twice and made a running catch in left field to save a run and rob Prado of a hit.
"Wish they were all this easy," Cunningham said.
Gosselin was 3 for 3 before he popped up attempting a suicide squeeze bunt in the seventh, and Eric Young was doubled off third.
"That's why they call it the suicide squeeze," Gonzalez said.
The Braves won despite going 4 for 19 with runners in scoring position.
Jason Grilli — the Braves' sixth pitcher — pitched around a walk to Stanton and a wild pitch in the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances. Atlanta improved to 4-0 this year at Marlins Park.
An error by shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria led to two unearned runs for Atlanta in the second. They scored when pitcher Julio Teheran singled on a 3-2 pitch with two outs and the bases loaded.
Miami's David Phelps delivered his fifth consecutive quality start. He allowed three runs, one earned, in six innings and tied a career high with eight strikeouts.
AQUARIUM JOLTED
The fish tank behind the plate at Marlins Parks took a direct shot when Martin Prado broke his bat in the second inning, and the barrel slammed into the aquarium. The resulting thud could be heard in the upper deck — and undoubtedly by the fish.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Jarred Cosart's tight right thigh was attributed to cramps after he underwent an MRI. The problem forced him from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He's expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, and barring a setback he'll make his next start as scheduled Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.
Cosart's availability will help determine whether the Marlins give another rehabilitation start to RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder and elbow inflammation). If Cosart's turn is skipped, Alvarez would likely replace him.
UP NEXT
LHP Alex Wood (1-2, 4.28), who earned his only victory in the second game of the season at Marlins Park, starts Saturday for the Braves against RHP Mat Latos (1-3, 4.72).
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