Miami Marlins Morning Catch: Ozuna leads Marlins over Phillies

3. 6. Final. 4. 82

The Miami Marlins’ red-hot homestand continued Friday night as Marcell Ozuna led the club to a 4-3 series-opening win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park.

Ozuna provided the game-winning hit, a double off Phillies reliever Ken Giles, in the bottom of the ninth, and the Fish walked off in game one of the three-game set. It was Ozuna’s third double and fourth hit overall on the night. Giancarlo Stanton and J.T. Realmuto also added their own doubles to aid the Marlins’ eighth win in their last nine games.

But the game-winner didn’t come without some drama. Stanton slid into home plate on Ozuna’s double, all the way from first base, and the play at the plate was reviewed despite the Phillies being out of challenges.

After one minute, 39 seconds of stifling uncertainty, the crew ruled that Carlos Ruiz‘s tag attempt missed Stanton, and the Marlins exploded in celebration of their second walk-off win of the year.

Tom Koehler provided the Marlins with five innings of three-run ball, striking out six and walking four. Brad Hand, A.J. Ramos, Mike Dunn and Steve Cishek combined to toss four scoreless frames, with Cishek allowing the bullpen’s lone hit in the ninth.

Dee Gordon continued to be arguably the best offensive second baseman in baseball, going 3-for-4 with a walk.

Ozuna ended Friday with a perfect 4-for-4 line, including the three doubles, a walk and of course, the game-winning RBI.

Ozuna’s third double keys walk-off win over Phillies

Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

Marcell Ozuna still hasn’t hit his first homer, but the Marlins won’t mind if he keeps having games like Friday. The third of Ozuna’s three doubles came in the ninth inning off Phillies’ reliever Ken Giles and sent the Marlins to a series-opening 4-3, walk-off win at Marlins Park.

Ozuna became the first Marlin with three doubles in a game since Garrett Jones did it against the Dodgers last May 2. The walk-off win brought them to within a game of .500 with two remaining on the homestand.

Ozuna (4-for-4) and leadoff man Dee Gordon (3-for-4) accounted for all but six of their team’s hits. The top four hitters in the batting order went a combined 9-for-17 (.529) with four doubles, three runs and three RBI. Click here for full article.

Jacksonville Suns bounce back in third week

Roger Hoover, Fish Stripes

The Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns are playing better baseball since we last had a report on Fish Stripes, as the Suns closed a historic 20-game homestand with a series victory over the Birmingham Barons.

The Suns are now truly on the road for the first time this season, facing the Chattanooga Lookouts in a rematch of last season’s Southern League Championship Series.

Here’s a look back at those games from where we left off last week. Click here for full article.

Marlins notes: Henderson Alvarez hoping to return in two weeks

Christina De Nicola, Fox Sports Florida

MIAMI — Right-hander Henderson Alvarez is hoping for a May 17 return to the big-league mound when the Miami Marlins host the Atlanta Braves.

Alvarez, who is on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder and elbow inflammation, threw 20 pitches (three changeups) in his first bullpen Wednesday. He plans to throw 50 pitches (all from his repertoire) in another session Saturday. The pitch count will drop to 40 Monday.

If all goes well, the 2014 All-Star will throw 50 pitches in extended spring training Thursday in Jupiter, Fla., before 70-75 pitches in a rehabilitation game with Class A Jupiter on May 12. That would line him up for the series finale against the Braves at Marlins Park five days later. Click here for full article.

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