The Miami Marlins fell short in their attempt to sweep the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday when they lost 7-2.
Brad Hand started and took the loss by allowing seven runs in only 4.2 innings of work. Six of the runs came on two swings with Reds' catcher Devin Mesoraco going deep twice. The backstop hit a grand slam in the fifth after three walks from Hand loaded the bases.
Hand is now 2-4 on the year with a 4.65 E.R.A. The Reds put together three walks and five hits while Hand was on the mound. With the Marlins in contention, Hand could find himself in trouble of losing his rotation spot if he turns in another couple poor outings.
Sam Dyson, Chris Hatcher, and Anthony DeSclafani worked the remainder of the game for Miami out of the bullpen. The trio of relievers did so in scoreless fashion and allowed two hits combined.
Miami got on the board in the first inning on Giancarlo Stanton's 29th home run of the season. In the fourth inning, Casey McGehee added his third blast of the year. Those would be the only two runs on the day for the Marlins.
It was an otherwise tough day for the Marlins as they combined to leave seven men on base and were 0-4 with runners in scoring position. The team had five hits total and two each were picked up by Stanton and McGehee. Hand had the other, his first hit of the season.
Miami will head home to open a series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. The scheduled starter for the Marlins is Tom Koehler.
