The Miami Marlins beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday in what was the team's ninth win in its last ten games.
The victory was helped along by a two-run home run from Giancarlo Stanton. It was the ninth blast of the season for the slugger, and his sixth in the team's recent hot stretch. Stanton now has 22 runs batted in on the year which leads Miami. Stanton also doubled as part of a two-hit day.
The home run also helped Jose Fernandez get a win to improve to 3-2 on the season. Fernandez only lasted five innings due to his pitch count and has had a very uninspiring season thus far. While his numbers have been decent, they have not been those expected coming into the year.
The Marlins' ace has a very pedestrian 4.28 E.R.A and has also been walking more hitters than in prior seasons. In this one, Fernandez walked two while striking out seven. The right-hander also allowed six hits and three runs along the way.
Hitting out of the leadoff spot, J.T. Realmuto continued a hot stretch with a three-hit day including his seventh double of the season. Realmuto has his batting average all the way up to .329 and has been a bright spot for the Marlins. When Dee Gordon was suspended, there was no presumptive leadoff hitter in waiting, but Realmuto has stepped up in his chances thus far.
Jose Urena, Bryan Morris, Kyle Barraclough and A.J. Ramos combined for four scoreless innings of relief. Ramos earned his ninth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Marlins will go for the sweep on Thursday when they turn to Adam Conley for the start.
