Eric Wagaman doubled in a run and later scored in a two-run second inning that gave Miami the lead for good as the visiting Marlins extended Justin Verlander’s season-opening winless streak to 12 games with a 4-2 triumph over the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.
Cal Quantrill combined with four relievers on a five-hitter, helping the Marlins open a six-game Western swing on a positive note.
Wagaman got the Marlins on the board first when he followed a one-out single by Kyle Stowers with his double to center field. After Verlander struck out Liam Hicks, Connor Norby singled to left, sending Wagaman home for a 2-0 lead.
Miami tacked on another run in the third on a double by Jesus Sanchez and an RBI single by Otto Lopez, then answered a two-run home run by the Giants’ Christian Koss in the fifth with the game’s final tally on an Xavier Edwards double in the seventh.
Returning from a stint on the injured list due to a strained right pectoral, Verlander (0-5) left with the Giants behind 3-2, having allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five.
Miami’s third pitcher, Cade Gibson (2-3), was credited with the win after retiring all four batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings.
Quantrill, who attended nearby Stanford, was charged with two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
Quantrill was pulled with two outs in the fifth with the Giants, down 3-2, having put the potential go-ahead runner on first with two outs. Heliot Ramos greeted Anthony Bender with a second-pitch double, but left fielder Stowers nailed Rafael Devers at the plate to allow Miami to retain its slim advantage.
Relievers Ronny Henriquez and Calvin Faucher helped Miami preserve the lead down the stretch, with Faucher earning his eighth save after issuing a leadoff walk to Ramos in the ninth.
Norby, Sanchez and Edwards had two hits apiece for the Marlins, who out-hit the Giants 11-5.
Koss’ homer was his second of the season. Devers finished 1-for-4 with a single.
–Field Level Media
