• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Rios, Rangers hold off Marlins

Aug 21, 2014 - 2:54 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Rios had two hits, drove in a pair and scored a run as the Texas Rangers held off the Miami Marlins, 5-4, to earn a split of a two-game interleague set on Wednesday afternoon.

Nick Martinez (3-9) started for the Rangers and picked up the win in his hometown, surrendering just two runs on six hits in six innings. With his family in the stands, the right-hander struck out seven and walked two to win for the second time in three decisions.

"Just a great day for everyone," said Martinez. "Everyone came out swinging. (Geovany Soto) called a great game."

Leonys Martin added three hits and drove in a run for the Rangers, who improved to just 6-12 in the month of August. Adrian Beltre chipped in with two hits and scored a run for Texas, which won for only the 15th time in 57 games since June 14.

Marcel Ozuna had three hits, including a solo homer, and drove in a run for the Marlins, who ended a nine-game homestand with a 6-3 mark.

Miami's Christian Yelich finished 3-for-4 to increase his hitting streak to nine games. Yelich has three consecutive three-hit games and has 19 hits over his hitting streak.

The Rangers got going in the first inning, putting up three runs against Miami starter Nathan Eovaldi. With two outs, Rios began the rally with a base hit. After a Beltre single put runners on first and second, J.P. Arencibia doubled to plate Rios and after Miami shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria dropped the relay throw, Beltre scored the second run. Then, following a wild pitch that allowed Arencibia to move to third, Martin's base hit plated Arencibia for the third run of the frame.

Texas kept going in the second as Rios doubled home a pair of runs for a 5-0 lead.

The Marlins got two runs back in the fourth inning when Ozuna doubled home a run and later scored on a wild pitch, but that was it until the Marlins made it interesting in the ninth.

Martin greeted closer Neftali Feliz with a solo homer to make it a two-run game. An out later, pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a solo homer to make it a 5-4 contest. However, Feliz struck out pinch-hitter Jeff Baker and, after a walk to Yelich, struck out Donovan Solano to end it.

Eovaldi (6-8) suffered the loss, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits in five frames. He struck out four and walked one, suffering his set straight setback and fifth in six decisions.

"Too many runs early," said Miami manager Mike Redmond. "You got to come out of the chute and throw up some zeros. We didn't play good defensively. We made a couple errors that cost us. We know we can play better than that."

Game Notes

The Marlins benefited from a replay overturn in the sixth inning. After initially being called safe by third base umpire D.J. Reyburn, Martin was ruled out after diving back to the bag following a strikeout of Rougned Odor. The double play ended the inning ... Texas returns home to host the Kansas City Royals for three games starting Friday ... Miami embarks on a nine-game road trip beginning on Friday in Colorado ... Yelich has lifted his average from .267 to .288 during his hitting streak, which includes four three-hit games.