Cubs 3 - 2 Marlins
Final
  for this game

Cubs, Marlins continue series at Marlins Ballpark

Apr 27, 2013 - 1:37 PM

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(Sports Network) - Lefty Travis Wood aims for his first career defeat of the Miami Marlins on Saturday night when the Chicago Cubs visit them at Marlins Park for the third test in a four-game series.

A former draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds now in his second season with the Cubs, Wood has dropped a pair of career starts against Miami while allowing 16 hits and 15 runs in just eight innings.

The Marlins have touched him for a batting average of .410.

The Arkansas native has been more successful against other foes so far in 2013, splitting a pair of decisions while allowing 17 hits and six earned runs in 26 innings - a .191 opposition batting average.

Wood is 13-11 in 38 career road appearances.

For Miami, righty Alex Sanabia tries to stay on a pattern that's seen him alternate wins and losses through four 2013 outings.

The 23-year-old Californian defeated the New York Mets on April 5, lost to Atlanta on April 10, defeated Washington on April 16 and lost to Cincinnati on April 21.

In 23 combined innings, he's allowed a .292 batting average with 26 hits and 13 runs.

Sanabia dropped his lone career start against the Cubs after giving up two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

He's 3-4 in nine career home starts, combined to 4-1 in 13 road outings.

On Friday, Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs and finished with four RBI as the Cubs defeated the Marlins, 4-2.

Cubs starter Scott Feldman (1-3) allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings, with Kevin Gregg pitching a perfect ninth to notch his second save of the season.

Chicago has won the first two games of this four-game set against Miami. The victory also marks the first time the Cubs have won two straight this season.

"It feels good, because we haven't done it yet," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum. "We've had opportunities to win a lot of games in a row, and we've come up short, so it's nice to hang on to these close ball games here."

Joe Mahoney had a solo homer and Chris Valaika also drove in a run for the Marlins, who saw starter Wade LeBlanc (0-4) surrender four runs on eight hits and a walk over six-plus innings.

"I just think we just got to keep talking to them," said Marlins manager Mike Redmond. "If they see me start to panic, then that puts more pressure on everyone else. Keep talking to these guys, keep talking to them about approach, keep talking to them about grinding out at-bats. Stay positive, I mean, that's me."

The Marlins won four of six games between the teams in 2012.






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