“It should have been caught by one of the two of us”.
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Miami improves to 31-13 versus the National League Central this season and gives them a one game lead in the wild card race.
The Cardinals cut the lead in the second inning by one, 3-1, after Kolten Wong reached first on an error by Marlins first basemen Chris Johnson.
Diaz was hit by Andrew Cashner, making his first start since being acquired by Miami in a seven-player trade.
All-Star shortstop Aledmys Diaz left the St. Louis Cardinals’ game at Miami after being hit on the right hand by a pitch in the first inning Sunday, and he will undergo further examination by a specialist Monday. He didn’t walk anyone and gave up just four hits, including a Greg Garcia home run.
Carlos Martinez hit Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the first. Cashner’s breaking balls were working well early on, and he mixed his pitches well keeping the Cardinals on its toes. “But that’s kind of the Cardinal way over there”.
“I knew what kind of shape we were in with the bullpen, and I didn’t want to have guys throw that didn’t need to throw”, Phelps said.
The Cardinals made it 4-all with two runs in the eighth off Fernando Rodney, and the tying run scored on an ugly error by shortstop Hechavarria. “It was a shame to let it go”.
And Martinez said he wasn’t trying to hit Stanton. “I’m always ready and I’m expecting to help every day”.
A disappointing note for fans, the team’s marketing department and a sizable Japanese media contingent, Ichiro Suzuki remained stuck a 2,998 hits. Suzuki went 2 for 17 on the Marlins’ homestand while starting just twice.
“‘O’ puts us up by four early and then we were able to add on, which is nice because they have a risky club that can put some runs on the board quick”, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
Cashner said he was excited to join a contending team, and willingly shaved his long beard to adhere to the Marlins’ policy of no facial hair. “It was not fun”. “It started bleeding a little bit”. It has been a while since my face has seen the sun. “They were thinking of resting me in September more for precautionary reasons”. “I’m all on board”.
Cardinals: IF Jhonny Peralta (thumb) began a rehab assignment Sunday at Single-A Palm Beach, and IF Matt Carpenter (oblique) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield. Now the Marlins are rumored to be back in the trade market in an attempt to land another starter prior to Monday’s non-waiver trading deadline.
Tuesday: Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez (12-5, 2.79 ERA) vs. Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (10-5, 3.23 ERA), 8:05 p.m., Wrigley Field.
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Tom Koehler is also dealing with a pectoral muscle issue and his next start has already been pushed to Wednesday in Chicago.
