Bryan De La Cruz homered, and the visiting Miami Marlins struck early and never looked back to earn a 6-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader.

Friday night’s rainout of the series opener caused the twin bill, and Saturday’s first game was delayed by nearly two hours due to more showers in the Cleveland area.

The Marlins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning off Guardians starter Shane Bieber, who wasn’t sharp from the start. He walked De La Cruz to open the frame, and, after a one-out single by Jean Segura, De La Cruz scored on a base hit by Yuli Gurriel. Segura scored on an error by Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario.

Cleveland’s Josh Bell doubled into the gap in the bottom of the fourth to drive in Rosario from first to cut the lead to 2-1.

De La Cruz put the Marlins up 3-1 in the sixth when he lined a fastball from Bieber inches over the wall in right for a 353-foot opposite-field homer.

The Marlins broke the game open in the seventh. Jon Berti and Jorge Soler drew walks and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball before Luis Arraez drove both home with a sharp single to right. Avisail Garcia’s RBI single then made it 6-1.

Bieber (1-1) lasted just 5 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits while walking four and fanning four. Miami hitters drew a total of seven walks in the game.

Marlins left-hander Devin Smeltzer made the start because Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, was scratched because of biceps tendinitis. Smeltzer went four innings, struck out three, walked one and allowed only one run on three hits before giving way to the Miami bullpen.

Marlins relievers Andrew Nardi (2-1), Huascar Brazoban, Matt Barnes and Steven Okert combined for five innings of scoreless relief to preserve the victory.

–Field Level Media