Marlins use power, speed to hold off Giants
MIAMI (AP) -- Celebrating his first home run of the year, Dee Gordon trotted to the dugout wearing a grin and a jersey caked with dirt, thanks to his headfirst slide.
The major league batting leader hit the first inside-the-park homer in the four-year history of Marlins Park, and his three-run shot helped Miami beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 Tuesday night.
"That was pretty cool," Gordon said. "I got a dinger."
Teammate Justin Bour also homered and contributed a defensive gem at first base. Buster Posey hit his 12th homer for the Giants.
Gordon, who came into the game leading the majors with 112 hits, made use of his speed for his first homer of the year. Right fielder Gregor Blanco chased the ball down in the gap just short of the wall and tried to scoop it with his glove behind his back to center fielder Angel Pagan, but they missed connection.
"I was just trying to flip the ball to Angel so hopefully he could stop him at third," Blanco said. "That was the only chance."
Gordon kept going and ran out from under his helmet 40 feet from the plate.
"That was the kick I tried to get that I didn't have," he said.
Even so, his slide easily beat the relay throw. The homer came with two outs in the second inning and extended Gordon's hitting streak to 11 games.
It also gave a welcome jolt of offense to a team without injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
"I've got to pick up the power with him gone," the 170-pound Gordon said. "We're like the same size."
Mat Latos (3-5) gave up three runs, two earned, in six innings. With the disappointing Marlins in fourth place in the NL East, he has become a subject of trade speculation.
"I'm not worried about it," Latos said. "I'm still here. Until they tell me they're going to throw me out of the clubhouse, I'm going to fight for this team."
Four relievers completed a six-hitter. Carter Capps, throwing at up to 99 mph, struck out the side in the eighth. He has 38 strikeouts in 20 2-3 innings to go with an ERA of 0.87.
A.J. Ramos followed with a perfect ninth for his 11th save.
"Those two guys have settled into a role," manager Dan Jennings said. "That's huge. You can shorten the game."
Ramos was helped by a terrific play from Bour, who did a face plant catching third baseman Miguel Rojas' throw to rob Andrew Susac of a hit.
"Bour's not very graceful," Gordon said with a laugh, "but it worked."
Ryan Vogelsong (6-6) went six innings, threw 88 pitches and allowed four runs -- with all of them scoring on homers.
"It's tough to take," he said. "How many pitches did I throw? And you think about two. I just left the ball up a little bit."
The Marlins won despite going 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, with Gordon's homer the lone hit. They've gone 2-5 on their homestand while batting 3 for 48 (.063) with runners in scoring position.
Posey homered in the third, giving him 18 RBIs in his past 10 games. He doubled and scored on a two-out wild pitch by Latos in the sixth to make it 4-3.
LOCAL HERO
Giants RHP Chris Heston, a native of Palm Bay, Florida, received the key to the city from the mayor before the game. The ceremony was to honor Heston for his no-hitter June 9 against the Mets.
ROSTER MOVE
Marlins LHP Justin Nicolino was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans before the game, and RHP Bryan Morris (back) was reinstated from the disabled list. Nicolino, who went 1-1 in two starts, will be replaced in the rotation by ace Jose Fernandez, returning from Tommy John surgery to make his first start of the year Thursday.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 1B Michael Morse (finger) is nursing a tight back but has completed a rehab assignment and is expected to be activated by the end of the week. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session since going on the DL and is expected to begin a rehab assignment around the All-Star break.
Giants: OF Hunter Pence (left wrist) hit off a tee with a fungo bat for the first time since his injury.
UP NEXT
Heston (8-5, 3.73 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday against RHP Dan Haren (6-5, 3.38).