All-Star Andrew Abbott carried a shutout into the eighth inning Wednesday night for the host Cincinnati Reds, who topped the Miami Marlins 7-2 following back-to-back losses to begin the four-game set.

Fellow All-Star Elly De La Cruz had a pair of RBI doubles for the Reds, who snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided falling under .500 for the first time since June 7. Austin Hays and Tyler Stephenson followed De La Cruz with run-scoring singles in the first before Noelvi Marte hit a two-run homer to spark a three-run fourth. Will Benson added a solo shot in the eighth.

Heriberto Hernandez spoiled Abbott’s shutout bid with an RBI single for the Marlins, who lost for just the fourth time in 16 games. Connor Norby homered in the ninth.

Abbott (8-1), who was selected to replace Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five. The lefty has surrendered one run or fewer in 12 of his 16 starts this season.

Tony Santillan got the final out of the eighth when he replaced Abbott following Hernandez’s single, before Emilio Pagan surrendered Norby’s homer in a non-save situation in the ninth.

Marte had two hits for the Reds, who received a hit from every starter. Matt McLain added a stolen base.

Five players had one hit each for the Marlins, who recorded fewer than six hits for just the fifth time in their last 35 games dating back to June 1.

Sandy Alcantara (4-9) took the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings. The former National League Cy Young Award winner has a 7.22 ERA in his first season following Tommy John surgery and has allowed at least five runs in eight of his 18 starts.

–Field Level Media