Teoscar Hernández hits 2-run homer in 6th inning to propel Dodgers to 3-1 victory over Marlins

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run homer in the sixth, Gavin Stone continued the run of solid Dodgers' starts and Los Angeles beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Wednesday to complete an unbeaten six-game homestand.

Los Angeles extended its overall winning streak to a season-high seven games and has won 14 of its last 16.

“Today we didn't put up a bunch of runs but we got a big hit when we needed it,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The starters are coming into their own. It's one of those things where hitting is contagious, but also starting pitching is contagious.”

Freddie Freeman got aboard with a two-out double off the wall in right field before Hernández drove a full-count changeup from Ryan Weathers (2-4) just over the wall in left center and past the outstretched glove of Miami left fielder Nick Gordon.

Miami manager Skip Schumaker ended up second-guessing his decision of allowing Weathers to pitch to Hernández with first base open and Kiké Hernández on deck.

“At the end of the day, that’s on me. I should have taken that situation out of their hands and had him face Kiké,” Schumaker said. “I thought there’s a chance that he would pitch around him a little bit where he could chase. And in worse-case scenario he would put him on and go attack Kiké.”

Hernández drove in all three Los Angeles runs in a game that went only 1 hour, 55 minutes, the shortest contest at Dodger Stadium in 21 years. His RBI base hit to right marked the fourth straight game the Dodgers scored in the first inning.

“Nowadays the outfielders make plays. I was waiting until he was laying on the ground. After that I celebrated,” said Hernández, who leads with Dodgers with 29 RBIs. “I was looking for changeup. He got me out on my second at-bat with a changeup and then at 3-1 he threw a changeup.”

Bryan De La Cruz went deep for the second straight game, accounting for Miami's only run with a solo shot to left in the fourth inning. It is the second time this season he has homered in back-to-back games.

The Marlins have dropped five of six on their current road trip.

“It’s tough to win with one run. Ryan did really well. I’ll take that version of Ryan Weathers any day of the week,” Schumaker said. “We just couldn’t get anything going."

Stone (3-1) went seven innings and allowed only one run on six hits with four strikeouts. Five of the Dodgers' starters during the homestand went at least six innings and posted a 2.33 ERA with 31 strikeouts and only four walks.

“He had command of all his pitches and induced a lot of weak contact. To see him again get to the seventh inning is pretty commendable,” Roberts said of Stone.

Daniel Hudson retired the Marlins in order in the ninth for his second save.

Weathers allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season due to right shoulder impingement. He left Tuesday's game after two innings. LHP Braxton Garrett was reinstated from the IL and will start Sunday against Philadelphia.

UP NEXT

Marlins: LHP Trevor Rogers (0-5, 6.15 ERA) makes his eighth start of the season when Miami opens a three-game series against Philadelphia on Friday.

Dodgers: head to San Diego for three games beginning Friday. RHP Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 2.70 ERA) is 10th in the NL in ERA.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, is tagged out by Miami Marlins third base Vidal Bruján while attempting to steal second during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani takes a strike as Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes kneels behind the plate during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández gestures to teammates in the dugout as he rounds third after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, center, walks back to the dugout with teammates after the Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 3-1 in a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani steps up to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Miami Marlins' Bryan De La Cruz gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández, right, hits a two-run home run as Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers, left, and catcher Nick Fortes, second from left, watch along with home plate Alfonso Marquez during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández, left, is hit with sunflower seeds thrown by Mookie Betts after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

MIAMI (AP) — Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor each drove in two runs in a four-run first inning, star closer Edwin Díaz was not used in a save situation and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Sunday for just their second win in seven games.

Brandon Nimmo homered and Francisco Lindor singled twice following a 1-for-27 skid as the Mets rebounded from blowing a four-run, ninth-inning lead on Saturday and avoided a three-game sweep. New York stopped Miami’s four-game winning streak.

“You’re not defined by what you do the day before. You’re defined by how you get up from adversity,” Lindor said. “We wanted this one for sure. I think it’s important to win after a tough loss like that.”

Sean Manaea (3-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. Sean Reid-Foley and Jake Diekman pitched an inning each, and Reed Garrett got his second save by allowing one hit over two innings with four strikeouts in a 34-pitch outing.

Díaz has a 10.80 ERA over his last eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8 1/3 innings. He has blown three of his last four save chances.

“We all believe in him. We all know he’s going to be back,” Garrett said. “Whenever my name’s called, I’ll pitch, but I know as a collective unit we all believe in Edwin and we know what he can do.”

New York (21-25) had dropped five games under .500 on Saturday for the first time since an 0-5 start.

“Not an easy weekend, not the way we expected, but we just have to continue to move forward,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Today was a huge win for us.”

With New York ahead 4-3, Nimmo hit a two-run homer off Anthony Bender in a three-run ninth that included Brett Baty’s RBI single.

“I was just looking for a good pitch in the middle of the plate to drive,” Nimmo said. “I was able to hit that ball — good launch angle — and hit it hard. Found its way out of the ballpark.”

Nimmo returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games because of a stomach illness.

“I’m coming around,” Nimmo said. “It’s been a little bit of a journey the last three days to get over the sickness. Right now, I’m just trying to get some appetite back. I’m definitely not at 100%. Just trying to battle through it and glad that I was able to help out there at the end and solidify the win.”

Dane Myers hit a two-run homer in the second, and Christian Bethancourt had a solo drive in the seventh against DIekman.

Sixto Sánchez (0-2) allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. He gave up Taylor’s two-out double in the first and Bader’s single.

“He was obviously better second through the fourth inning but he put us in a hole early,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “At this level it’s hard to come back from four runs every single time. He’s not giving his teammates a chance to win.”

Miami recalled right-handed reliever Emmanuel Ramirez from Jacksonville and optioned right-handed reliever Anthony Maldonado to the Triple-A farm team.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: DH J.D. Martinez (flu symptoms) didn’t play but was available to pinch hit. Mendoza said Martinez played through the illness the prior two days.

Marlins: INF Tim Anderson (lower back tightness) homered and had three singles in five at-bats during a rehab game with Jacksonville on Saturday, then went 0 for 4 with a walk on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (0-1, 2.25) will start the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland on Monday. RHP Ben Lively (2-2, 3.06) will start for the Guardians.

Marlins: LHP Ryan Weathers (2-4, 3.81) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game home series against Milwaukee on Monday. The Brewers will go with RHP Joe Ross (2-4, 4.61).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Sean Manaea delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) and Francisco Lindor (12) congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Tyrone Taylor, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader is unable to catch a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell for a double, during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Marlins third base Emmanuel Rivera, right, tags out New York Mets' Harrison Bader as he slides into third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a ball hit by Miami Marlins' Josh Bell as both he and left fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) vie for the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Mets relief pitcher Reed Garrett, right, and catcher Omar Narvaez celebrate after the Mets beat the Miami Marlins 7-3, during a baseball game, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)