Brad Hand pitches Marlins past Cubs 5-2
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins left-hander Brad Hand stood at his locker eager to talk about a rare win, but the clubhouse stereo made conversation impossible, so he just smiled while rapper 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song" blared away.
"I like that song," Hand said.
After a couple of minutes, someone finally pulled the plug on 2 Chainz, and Hand explained how he and the Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 Tuesday night.
"I managed to make pitches when I needed to," he said.
Hand (1-1) did that for six innings and improved his career record as a starter to 5-18 in 33 outings. Even with the victory, his winning percentage as a starter (.217) is the lowest in the majors among active pitchers with at least 20 decisions, according to STATS.
"I know I can start here," Hand said. "I'm very confident I can. I just have to go out there and trust my stuff."
Giancarlo Stanton helped Hand by hitting a solo homer, his 16th, and making a pivotal play in right field in the ninth. Stanton has seven of Miami's 14 homers at Marlins Park this year.
Marcell Ozuna hit a two-out, three-run double off Kyle Hendricks that put Miami ahead to stay in the fifth.
Hand allowed six hits and two runs. The left-hander, who came into the game with a career batting average of .058, also singled and scored.
He has allowed two runs in 11 innings in two starts since joining the rotation when the Marlins lost three starters to injury and illness.
"The kid is making tremendous progress," manager Dan Jennings said. "He's effectively wild. He can execute a pitch when he needs to."
Addison Russell's baserunning blunder helped A.J. Ramos earn his fifth safe in seven chances. The Cubs trailed 5-2 in the ninth and had runners at first and second with one out when Chris Coghlan singled to right, but Stanton fielded the ball and threw out Russell taking too big a turn at second.
"That works very rarely," Stanton said, "but it was a great time for it to work there."
Russell said he tried to brake and reverse direction when he saw the third base coach's stop sign, but it was too late.
"I don't think it was a stupid or dumb play at all," Russell said. "I'm trying to get to third, and I'm trying to put my team in a better situation to win. Next time I've got to keep my head up and make sure I pick up the sign."
Miguel Montero then struck out to end the game.
"We made a couple of mistakes; they took advantage of them," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We did not deserve to win tonight."
Hendricks (1-2) gave up four runs in six innings. Junior Lake had a pair of doubles and drove in a run for Chicago.
About half the crowd of 23,789 rooted for the visitors, even chanting "Let's go Cubbies!" But the cheers were for the home team in the fifth, when Miami rallied from a 2-1 deficit.
Hand's hit helped the Marlins load the bases with none out, and Hendricks nearly escaped, striking out Stanton and retiring Justin Bour on a popup. But Ozuna lined the first pitch for a bases-clearing double and a 4-2 lead.
"We had three shots," Jennings said. "It took us the third shot."
Adeiny Hechavarria, batting for the first time in four days after being sidelined by a sore left shoulder, hit a two-out RBI double in the second to put Miami ahead. Maddon elected to pitch to Hechavarria with a runner on second rather than walk him and let Hendricks face the opposing pitcher.
Chicago scored in the third on back-to-back RBI doubles by Anthony Rizzo and Lake.
ROSTER MOVE
Each team made a roster move before the game. The Cubs called up OF Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa and optioned OF Mike Baxter to Iowa. Szczur struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth.
The Marlins recalled RHP Kendry Flores from Double-A Jacksonville. He started there but will be used in long relief by the Marlins.
TRAINER'S ROOM
The Cubs played without RF Jorge Soler, who hurt his ankle Monday. It's uncertain whether he'll go on the disabled list, Maddon said.
UP NEXT
Cubs LHP Jon Lester (4-3, 3.30) is scheduled to start the final game of the series Wednesday against RHP Dan Haren (5-2, 3.03).
