Marlins 2 - 1 Reds
Final
  for this game

Ruggiano homers off Reds' Chapman to lift Marlins

Apr 20, 2013 - 5:38 AM

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Justin Ruggiano's homer in the ninth inning lifted the Miami Marlins to a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the second installment of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

With one out, Ruggiano clobbered a 3-1 change-up from Aroldis Chapman (2-1) over the left-center field wall. It was the first run and only the fourth hit Chapman had allowed all season.

"I just waited him out and got the pitch I was looking for. He's tough and has a lot of moving parts. I told myself to not get beat up and kept a two-strike approach the whole time," Ruggiano said.

Placido Polanco also had an RBI and Nick Green collected three hits to go with one run for the Marlins, who picked up just their fourth win of the season.

Mike Dunn (1-0) earned the win after recording the final two outs of the eighth inning and Steve Cishek stranded a runner in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Starter Kevin Slowey worked six innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits while fanning four.

Joey Votto knocked in the Reds' lone run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Mat Latos also had a strong start, allowing just one runs on six hits while striking out 10 batters over seven frames.

"It's frustrating because we got the loss. I did the best I could tonight. I had a solid outing and gave us a chance to win, it was just one of those games," Latos said.

Cincinnati lost for the first time in five games.

Shin-Soo Choo ripped a leadoff triple then scored on Votto's sacrifice fly to left field.

Green and Donovan Solano opened the third with back-to-back singles, and Slowey followed with a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third. After Juan Pierre struck out, Polanco poked a base hit to right field to push Green across.

Solano attempted to score from second base on the play, but was cut down at the plate after Jay Bruce delivered a strike to catcher Ryan Hanigan.

The Marlins wasted scoring opportunities to score in both the sixth and seventh innings.

In the sixth, Pierre doubled then moved to third when Polanco lined out to right field. Giancarlo Stanton ripped a grounder to short, and Pierre broke for home but was thrown out at the plate by Zack Cozart.

In the seventh, Miami put runners at second and third, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs struck out to end the threat.

Cozart opened the bottom of the ninth inning with an infield single, but Cishek was able to retire the next three batters to nail down the win for the Marlins.

Game Notes

Slowey has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his four starts this season but is still in search of his first win since Sept. 18, 2010 ... Miami's relievers have just one save this season ... Latos has six career double-digit strikeout games ... Miami has scored just 35 runs this season.






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