MIAMI (AP) — Jesús Luzardo allowed one hit and no runs in six-plus innings Sunday, and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 to take the rubber game of their series.
Luzardo (5-7) had by far his best outing since being acquired from Oakland for Starling Marte at the trade deadline. The left-hander tied a career high with eight strikeouts.
Jesús Sánchez hit a two-run homer in the first, his sixth homer of the year and his second in two days. Miami won the final two games of the series after losing 11 in a row to Cincinnati over the past two years.
The Marlins’ Anthony Bender pitched two scoreless innings and was helped by two double plays. Dylan Floro gave up a run in the ninth on Joey Votto’s sacrifice fly but struck out Kyle Farmer with a runner on second to end the game for his seventh save in 11 chances, completing a two-hitter.
The Reds were unhappy with plate umpire Edwin Moscoso from start to finish. They argued when Votto was called out on a 3-2 pitch in the first inning with two on and one out. Eugenio Súarez complained when he was called out on strikes in the seventh, and he was ejected.
Cincinnati manager David Bell was also ejected for arguing a strike call on Farmer in the ninth.
Cincinnati’s lead over San Diego for the second NL wild card fell to 1 1/2 games.
Miami won with four hits. The Reds’ Tyler Mahle (10-5) allowed two runs in seven innings.
The only hit Luzardo allowed was a double by Jonathan India to begin the game. Luzardo retired 14 batters in a row before he hit Votto to start the seventh and exited. Votto was erased on a double play.
Luzardo lowered his ERA from 9.67 to 7.19.
The Reds’ Tyler Naquin went 0 for 2 with a walk, ending his 17-game hitting streak. He reached in the second inning when second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. failed to field a tough grounder and was charged with an error.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: All-Star OF Jesse Winker (intercostal strain) has begun throwing and is expected to start swinging a bat in the next few days.
UP NEXT
Reds: RHP Luis Castillo (7-13, 4.29) is scheduled to start Monday when Cincinnati opens a three-game series at home against the Cardinals and Jon Lester (4-6, 5.27). The Reds are 8-5 against St. Louis this season.
Marlins: After an off day Monday, they have a busy day Tuesday at the Mets. In the afternoon will be the completion of a game suspended April 11 in the first inning, with a night game to follow. Rookie Edward Cabrera and Elieser Hernandez are the scheduled pitchers.
