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Stauffer pitches Padres past struggling Marlins

Aug 19, 2011 - 6:13 AM San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Tim Stauffer threw seven strong innings and Jesus Guzman tripled in two runs in the opening inning to boost San Diego to a 3-1 win over Florida.

Logan Forsythe lofted a sacrifice fly for the Padres, who downed the Marlins for the 12th time in the last 16 meetings.

Stauffer (8-9) bounced back from one of the worst outings of his career by limiting the Marlins to five hits. One of those hits was a home run by John Buck in the seventh.

"I think the use of the changeup kept those guys off balance," Padres manager Bud Black said. "The big difference between this start and last was more balls down in the zone, more balls down and away, he went inside, he hit his spot."

Stauffer lasted just three innings in a loss in Cincinnati on Saturday, as he allowed nine runs and seven hits.

Heath Bell retired the side in order in the ninth for his 33rd save.

Javier Vazquez (7-11) allowed five hits and fanned five over six innings in the opener of this four-game series.

The Marlins lost for the 12th time in 14 games.

"We have a tough time getting our offense going every night," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "We've been killed the first inning. We're just going to have to start bearing down a little bit."

Jason Bartlett doubled with one out in the first and Cameron Maybin reached on an infield single. Guzman then pulled a ball down the right field line for a 2-0 lead.

Nick Hundley tripled to right leading off the bottom of the second and scored on Forsythe's fly ball to center.

Florida wasted a chance to score with men at the corners in the fourth, but finally broke through on Buck's 15th homer of the season, a 435-foot blast.

Bryan Petersen doubled with one out in the eighth off Luke Gregerson, and Mike Stanton, who had homered in four straight games, walked. Gregg Dobbs grounded into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners, and then the Padres came up with the defensive play of the night.

Gaby Sanchez hit a sinking line drive to center field. If the hit got to the wall, it may have tied the game, but Maybin made a full-extended diving grab to end the inning.

Game Notes

Guzman has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games...The Marlins placed relief pitcher Randy Choate on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to August 16. To fill the roster spot, the Marlins recalled pitcher Chris Hatcher from Double-A Jacksonville...The Padres have won back-to-back games at Petco Park against the Marlins for the first time since winning four straight against them from May 13 - June 9, 2006...Stauffer is 5-1 with a 1.28 ERA over his last seven starts at home.