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Marlins sweep Cubs

Apr 20, 2012 - 7:05 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Greg Dobbs doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the third inning, as Miami completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 5-3 win at Marlins Park.

Hanley Ramirez collected two hits and scored two runs for the Marlins, who have won four games in a row.

Miami starter Ricky Nolasco (2-0) pitched in and out of trouble while allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. Heath Bell, the fifth reliever used by the Marlins, struck out two in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

"We know as long as we just pound the strike zone we have got good enough arms and good enough pitches that we can get people out. Any championship quality team has a good bullpen and we think we do," said Bell.

Darwin Barney drove in all three runs for the Cubs, losers of five straight.

Jeff Samardzija (2-1) gave up five runs on eight hits and walked five in 3 2/3 innings.

"I just felt like I wasn't attacking the zone enough," Samardzija said. "I know they are a pretty aggressive team and we wanted to take advantage of that, but that just kind of went against my normal game plan of being aggressive."

Chicago had not been swept in a three-game series by the Marlins in Florida since September 25-27, 2007.

Miami jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the home first. Emilio Bonifacio walked with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a single by Ramirez before scoring on a broken-bat base hit by Logan Morrison. Ramirez raced to third on Morrison's hit and scored on a slow roller to short by Giancarlo Stanton.

The Cubs had at least two baserunners in each of the first three innings.

Nolasco escaped a jam with runners on the corners in the top of the first, but Chicago loaded the bases in the second and a two-out, opposite-field triple by Barney gave the visitors the lead.

After the Cubs failed to score with the bases loaded in the third, the Marlins moved back in front with a three-spot in the bottom of the inning.

Miami put its first two batters on base, as Ramirez bunted for a single and Morrison walked after Ramirez stole second. Two batters later, Dobbs plated both men with a double down the left-field line. Samardzija retired the next batter and that prompted a two-out intentional walk to Brett Hayes with Nolasco due up next. The right-hander helped his own cause with an RBI single to right.

Game Notes

Ramirez extended his hitting streak against the Cubs to 10 games...Chicago has lost five straight for the first time since July 26-30, 2011...Nolasco was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.