Miami Marlins Equal Season High With 3rd Straight Win

Miami is 16-10 since June 1

Jose Fernandez struck out 10 and allowed only two hits in a career-high eight innings, and the Miami Marlins matched a season high with their third consecutive victory by beating the San Diego Padres 4-0 Monday night.

Jeff Mathis delivered the big hit for the second game in a row, raising his batting average to .154. He hit a three-run double in the sixth, when the Marlins scored four unearned runs off Jason Marquis.

Mathis' ninth-inning grand slam beat the Padres on Sunday.

The Marlins began the week with the worst record in the majors, but since June 1 they're 16-10, and they've won six of their past seven games. They've allowed three runs in the past three games.

San Diego lost for the seventh time in nine games. Padres shortstop Pedro Ciriaco helped Marquis with two fine defensive plays early, but his errant throw in the sixth led to the unearned runs.

Fernandez (5-4) equaled a career high in strikeouts, walked one and threw 100 pitches before departing for a pinch hitter. Steve Cishek entered with two on and got the final out for his 15th save in 17 chances, completing a three-hitter.

Padres Beat Nolasco and Marlins, 9-2

Fernandez improved to 3-1 with an ERA of 1.34 over his past six starts.

Marquis (9-4) issued a career-high seven walks in 6 1-3 innings but lowered his ERA to 3.74 because he allowed no earned runs. The righthander came into the game leading all major league pitchers with 53 walks this season.

Miami won despite going 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

The game was scoreless when Ed Lucas reached leading off the sixth on Ciriaco's wild throw. Giancarlo Stanton walked, and Marcell Ozuna singled home a run after his foul pop dropped just beyond the reach of catcher Yasmani Grandal near the Padres dugout.

With runners at second and third, Derek Dietrich was intentionally walked and Mathis' double cleared the bases to make it 4-0.

Carlos Quentin doubled with two outs in the first, but that was the Padres' only hit until Kyle Blanks singled with two outs in the seventh.

Fernandez stumbled and fell on a pickoff attempt to first base in the third inning, and his throw sailed wildly for his first error of the season. Logan Forsythe went to second on the play, but Chris Denorfia lined out to end the inning.

NOTES: Miami RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) is scheduled to make his 2013 debut when he starts Thursday at Atlanta. The Marlins haven't said whose spot in the rotation he'll take. RHP Ricky Nolasco, the subject of trade speculation, is scheduled to pitch Wednesday. ... The Padres won the season series 4-3.

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