Home Runs, Koehler Lift Marlins to 2-1 Win Over Cubs

Justin Bour and Christian Yelich homered and the Miami Marlins got six impressive innings from Tom Koehler in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Bour's solo home run in the sixth inning off Cubs starter Jason Hammel snapped a 1-1 tie. That spelled the difference for Koehler (7-4), who allowed five hits and an earned run in his six innings while striking out four and walking one for the Marlins, who have won four straight games.

The Marlins bullpen recorded three scoreless innings to protect the one-run lead. A.J. Ramos pitched the ninth to earn his 13th save in 16 opportunities.

Miami loaded the bases in the eighth inning on a Dee Gordon single and a pair of walks. But the Marlins failed to extend their lead when Cubs reliever Travis Wood struck out J.T. Realmuto.

Despite getting little offensive support, Hammel (5-4) nearly matched Koehler's effectiveness. Hammel, who had posted a 1.54 earned run average over his last five starts at Wrigley Field, retired 14 straight hitters in the middle innings before Bour's winning homer barely cleared the right field fence and dropped into the basket in front of the bleachers.

Hammel allowed only four hits - including the two homers - in seven innings while striking out five and walking one.

Yelich gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a one-out solo home run. The Cubs, who saw their three-game winning streak snapped, responded quickly, tying the game in their first at-bat. Miguel Montero's RBI single scored Kris Bryant, who doubled to left field with two outs.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: 1B Michael Morse (right finger sprain) tweaked a back muscle and made a minor league rehab start on Friday. Manager Dan Jennings said Morse could join the Marlins during their weekend visit to Chicago. ... RHP Jarred Cosart will return to Miami's starting rotation on Saturday after missing a month with vertigo. Cosart made a relief appearance on June 26 against the Dodgers when he allowed two earned runs and six hits in four innings.

Cubs: Manager Joe Maddon said OF Jorge Soler (left ankle) could be back "soon" and was hoping to play nine innings for Triple-A Iowa on Friday. ... President Theo Epstein said the immigration issues that have kept RHP Rafael Soriano in the Dominican Republic are past him, and that he should join one of the club's minor league affiliates following a brief time at Mesa, Arizona.

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Jarred Cosart (1-3) will make his first start after missing a month with vertigo against the Cubs and RHP Donn Roach (0-1), who will be making his second start of the season. Roach gave up eight hits and four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings in his first start against St. Louis.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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