• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rookie Volstad pitches Marlins past Dodgers

Jul 12, 2008 - 6:07 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Rookie Chris Volstad made his presence known during his first start in the major leagues.

Volstad pitched 8 2/3 stellar innings on Friday night to help the Florida Marlins claim a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 21-year-old Volstad (2-0) allowed one run and five hits, walking one while striking out six. He surrendered his only run with two outs in the ninth and was replaced by closer Kevin Gregg, who got the final out to notch his 19th save of the season.

"(Volstad) pitched a great game and couldn't ask for a better performance," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He showed us what he is capable of tonight."

Volstad had made one appearance in the majors before Friday. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief to record the win against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday - the same day he was recalled from Class AA Carolina of the Southern League.

"I'm just happy that I got the opportunity and just trying to make the best of it," Volstad said. "I just know that I have to keep working hard and help the team win games."

Volstad, whose longest outing in the minors this season was 7 1/3 innings, was even better on Friday, throwing 100 pitches - 67 for strikes - while getting 13 groundball outs. He did not allow a runner past second until the ninth and his only walk came with one out in the seventh.

"Just wanted to go right after their hitters and work ahead in the count," Volstad said. "The command and location of my pitches were working for me tonight. They have a tough lineup and I just wanted to keep us in the game."

The Marlins, who have won five of their last six, wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back home runs by Jeremy Hermida and Jorge Cantu.

"We were aggressive in the first so we could get some runs for him (Volstad) to work with," Hermida said. "I just got a pitch I was looking for and made good contact."

Dodgers starter Eric Stults (2-2) hit Hanley Ramirez to begin the game and the All-Star shortstop moved into scoring position by stealing second base. Hermida followed with his 10th homer of the season and second in the last four games.

Cantu extended the lead with a solo shot, his 17th blast .

Stults surrendered three runs and six hits in six innings. The 28-year-old lefthander walked three and struck out six en route to his second loss in as many decisions.

"I struggled with my command early but got into a good groove and kept us within striking distance," Stults said. "We're not worried about the offense because we know they can swing the bats."

"Eric got off to a rough start, but managed to settle down and pitch a good game," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "We didn't hit, but have to give credit to the kid (Volstad) for keeping us off-balance tonight."