The Miami Marlins won a third straight game on Wednesday with their 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the Citrus Series.
With the win, Miami maintains its position at the top of the National League Wild Card standings. In addition, the Marlins are now tied in the win column with the division leading Atlanta Braves.
Tom Koehler had a shaky start to this one but managed to go five innings and pick up his fifth win of the season. In the first inning, Koehler allowed three runs scored by the Rays in the game. The right-hander threw 37 pitches and gave up two home runs in the inning.
For the game, Koehler allowed six hits and walked four while striking out four across the five innings. His E.R.A on the season now sits at 3.33 which is a more than respectable mark for a pitcher who entered the season as the number five starter in the rotation.
Bryan Morris made his debut for the Marlins next going two scoreless innings. The right-hander who was acquired from Pittsburgh for a draft pick struck out one and allowed a pair of hits. Mike Dunn worked the eighth inning in 1-2-3 fashion with two strikeouts.
In the ninth, closer Steve Cishek loaded the bases with nobody out but then slammed the door for his 13th save of the season.
Casey McGehee continued to be the perfect guy to have at the plate with a runner in scoring position. After a double by Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning, McGehee brought him home for his 37th run batted in of the year to get the scoring started for Miami.
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Donovan Solano made the most of a rare opportunity to start when he hit his first home run of the year in the third inning. The three-run blast put the Marlins ahead and that's where they'd stay for the remainder of the game.
The Marlins can complete a four-game Citrus Series sweep on Thursday when they send Jacob Turner to the mound.
