Marlins 7 - 2 Giants
Final
  for this game

Marlins seek series triumph against Giants

Jun 23, 2013 - 2:11 PM (Sports Network) - The Miami Marlins aim for a series win over the San Francisco Giants when the two clubs close out a four-game set Sunday at AT&T Park.

The Marlins won the first two installments of this series, but faltered Saturday with a 2-1 loss in 11 innings. Giants pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez singled home Gregor Blanco for the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning and Miami reliever Mike Dunn was charged with the loss.

Ed Lucas was the lone bright spot for the Marlins and finished 3-for-4 with a home run.

"Every time you square up a ball, it feels good ... but I'd trade that one for my last at-bat with some runners on base in extra innings," said Lucas.

Jacob Turner had a solid outing wasted in the no-decision, as he held the defending World Series champions to a run and six hits in seven innings.

Miami had a nine-game winning streak in San Francisco come to an end, but still hasn't lost a series there since July 2009. The Marlins are 3-3 on a seven-game road trip and will next play six in a row at home versus Minnesota and San Diego.

Taking the mound for the Marlins in the conclusion of this set will be Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi missed the start of the season due to a shoulder injury and was decent in his 2013 debut on Tuesday at Arizona.

Eovaldi did not record a decision in the 3-2 loss and permitted two runs and three hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one. The right- hander lost his only start to the Giants last June 25 in an 8-0 loss and was tagged for all eight runs and 10 hits in five innings.

San Francisco will shoot for a series split Sunday and will close out a seven- game homestand (3-3). In Saturday's win, Giants reliever Sandy Rosario allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings of relief to pick up the victory. Starter Barry Zito pitched seven innings, giving up one run on six hits and two walks.

"It was huge, the pitching really picked us up today," Giants outfielder Hunter Pence said. "Everyone stepped up when they needed to. Some days when your offense isn't scoring a ton of runs, it's a huge weight when your pitching keep getting you back in there."

Blanco contributed three hits and an RBI for the Giants, who had lost five of seven games. The Giants are three games behind Arizona for the NL West lead and will begin a 10-game road trip Monday at Los Angeles.

Matt Cain got the run support he's used to the last time out and hopes the offensive surge continues Sunday versus the Marlins. Cain delivered seven innings of two-run ball and 10 strikeouts in Tuesday's 5-4 win over San Diego and is unbeaten (1-0) in his past three starts.

Cain has won five of his last six decisions and is 5-3 with a 4.55 earned run average in 15 starts this season. He has made seven starts at home, going 3-1, and owns a 4-3 record with a 3.00 ERA in 11 career starts against the Marlins.






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