Pablo López allowed just two hits in his longest start this season and Jorge Alfaro homered on reliever Neil Ramírez's first pitch, moments after Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco left with another injury in the Florida Marlins' 3-1 win over the Indians on Tuesday night.
López (2-3) stoapped a three-start losing streak. The right-hander, who had not gone more than 5 1/3 innings, held the Indians without a hit until the sixth and was not charged with an earned run in 6 1/3 innings.
Click to Gallery
Pablo López allowed just two hits in his longest start this season and Jorge Alfaro homered on reliever Neil Ramírez's first pitch, moments after Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco left with another injury in the Florida Marlins' 3-1 win over the Indians on Tuesday night.
Alfaro's homer triggered Florida's three-run fifth off Ramírez (0-1), who came in after Carrasco hurt his left knee while covering first base.
Not wanting to take any chances, manager Terry Francona pulled Carrasco.
Lopez had been shaky in his prior three outings, but the right-hander was sharp against the Indians, whose offense continues to sputter.
TRAINER'S ROOM
UP NEXT
Cleveland Indians' Tyler Naquin watches his ball after hitting an RBI-single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Carlos Gonzalez scored on the play. Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro watches. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Miami Marlins' Martin Prado watches his ball after hitting a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Jon Berti scored on the play. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Miami closer Sergio Romo worked the ninth for his third save, completing a three-hitter as the Marlins improved to 2-5 on the road.
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Alfaro's homer triggered Florida's three-run fifth off Ramírez (0-1), who came in after Carrasco hurt his left knee while covering first base.
The Indians have lost three straight, and now have concerns about Carrasco.
He was lifted after four innings with a bruised left knee sustained when the right-hander landed hard scrambling to catch Carlos Santana's errant throw. Carrasco took several warmup pitches, and seemed to talk his way into staying in to finish the inning before being replaced by Ramirez.
Miami Marlins' Jorge Alfaro runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Neil Ramirez in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Not wanting to take any chances, manager Terry Francona pulled Carrasco.
It's the latest injury for the 32-year-old, who has missed significant time in previous seasons with assorted injuries — many of them unlucky.
The Indians said Carrasco was removed because of "discomfort" and his absence will put further stress on Cleveland's rotation, which is already missing Mike Clevinger because of a back strain.
Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor throws out Miami Marlins' Martin Prado at first base in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Lopez had been shaky in his prior three outings, but the right-hander was sharp against the Indians, whose offense continues to sputter.
Cleveland didn't get its first until the sixth when José Ramírez lined a one-out single to right. However, López got out of the inning as second baseman Starlin Castro ranged to his left to grab Santana's grounder, pivoted to throw back to second and force Ramírez, and the Marlins turned the stylish double play.
Alfaro connected on a grooved fastball from Ramírez to open the fifth, when the Marlins also got an RBI double from Curtis Granderson and Martin Prado's sacrifice fly.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: LHP Jarlin García went on the paternity list and the club recalled LHP Jose Quijada from Triple-A New Orleans. Quijada has not appeared in a major league game.
Indians: OF Bradley Zimmer is making slow progress from a strained oblique sustained in training camp. Manager Terry Francona said Zimmer is close to taking "live swings" at the team's year-round complex in Goodyear, Arizona.
Cleveland Indians' Tyler Naquin fields a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Brian Anderson in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Anderson was safe at first base. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
UP NEXT
Indians RHP Jefry Rodríguez (0-1, 3.18 ERA) will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to make his second start and face Marlins rookie RHP Sandy Alcantara (1-2, 5.09), who has not allowed a home run in 23 innings this season.
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Cleveland Indians' Carlos Gonzalez is safe at second base as Miami Marlins' Miguel Rojas is late on the tag in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Gonzalez was safe on an error by Starlin Castro. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians' Tyler Naquin watches his ball after hitting an RBI-single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Carlos Gonzalez scored on the play. Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro watches. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Miami Marlins' Martin Prado watches his ball after hitting a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Cleveland. Jon Berti scored on the play. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)