There was nothing remarkable with what Jose Urena did Tuesday at Busch Stadium. He went five innings, gave up a couple of runs and left trailing 2-0.
Except it was just what Don Mattingly was looking for.
After two Marlins starters in three days hit the canvas in early inning knockouts, Urena managed to make it into the middle rounds, keep matters close and allow the lineup do the rest.
Christian Yelich clubbed a three-run homer, and JT Riddle added a two-run single in a five-run sixth inning as the Marlins rallied for a 5-2 win over St. Louis.
Urena, who has won five of his past six decisions, improved to 7-3.
Mattingly was blunt with reporters before Tuesday’s game when, in explaining the team’s decision to part company with Jeff Locke, said that “in our situation we have to find guys that are competitive, that will fight. The last thing we want is lackadaisical, kind of noncompetitive outings.”
Locke gave up 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings the night before.
Urena didn’t allow a hit until Paul DeJong’s leadoff single in the fifth, which was promptly followed by Greg Garcia’s two-run homer.
But the Marlins struck back in the sixth.
After Dee Gordon doubled and Giancarlo Stanton reached on a throwing error, Yelich took a 3-2 pitch from Lance Lynn and knocked it into the seats in left center for his eighth home run and first since June 2.
Later in the inning, Riddle gave the Marlins some breathing room with a two-out single that scored two more runs.
The bullpen combination of Drew Steckenrider, Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps and A.J. Ramos held the Cardinals scoreless over the final four innings.
Source: www.miamiherald.com
