Justin Bour's sixth-inning home run ended up the game winner as the Miami Marlins (35-46) defeated the Chicago Cubs (42-36) 2-1 Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
With two outs and the bases empty in the top of the sixth, Bour lined the first pitch he got from Jason Hammel into the right-field basket for a solo shot (10) to put the Marlins ahead 2-1 (video).
Friday's game was the fourth straight overall contest in which Bour has homered. His blast helped him beat the team that drafted him in 2009 and then let him get away via the Rule 5 draft in December of 2013. Bour was waiting for his chance to make a Major League starting lineup. Anthony Rizzo came to the Cubs' organization in 2012, making Bour available, and the Marlins took advantage of the opportunity to grab the powerful first baseman.
The two teams traded runs in the first inning. Christian Yelich, the second batter of the game, homered (5) over the center-field wall to put the Marlins up 1-0 (video). In the bottom half, Miguel Montero singled home Kris Bryant, who had doubled, for the Cubs' only run.
Tom Koehler (W: 7-4, 3.52 ERA) was brilliant as he took advantage of a struggling Cubs offense. Koehler pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out four. Three Marlins relievers each pitched a scoreless inning, and only closer A.J. Ramos (S: 13) allowed a hit. Ramos gave up a lead off single in the ninth but then got two ground outs and a strikeout to end the game and seal Koehler's victory.
Hammel (L: 5-4, 2.89) could not get the run support needed to let his quality start earn himself a win. He pitched seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, two of them home runs. He walked one and struck out five. The Cubs' bullpen has continued to improve throughout June and so far in July, but the offense could not mount a comeback.
The series continues Saturday at 7:15 p.m. EDT as part of FOX Sports' Baseball Night in America. Jarred Cosart (1-3, 4.12) will pitch for Miami, facing the Cubs' Don Roach (0-1, 10.80). It is Roach's second start of the season; he allowed eight runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 3 1/3 innings in his first start on June 27.