An overturned call at first base led to two extra Miami Marlins runs that capped a four-run second inning as the Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-3 Wednesday night.
With his team leading 2-0, Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon came up with runners at the corners and two outs. Gordon grounded the ball to Starlin Castro, the Cubs' shortstop. Castro fielded and threw across his body for a bang-bang-play at first base.
The initial call was out, which would have ended the inning. However, Marlins manager Dan Jennings challenged the call and won, allowing Gordon to reach and keep the inning alive. On the play, J.T. Realmuto scored from third and Adeiny Hechavarria moved into scoring position.
Martin Prado followed with a single to right to make the score 4-0 and give the Marlins a lead that eventually became the margin of victory. The Marlins got their first two runs on Realmuto's RBI double and Hechavarria's RBI single. The rally began after the first two Marlins were out.
Miami extended its lead on Giancarlo Stanton's long home run (17) that landed where only the likes of Stanton can reach.
Former Cub Jeff Baker made it back-to-back with a home run (2) of his own. In the sixth, Prado drove home Hechavarria to make it 7-3, the game's final score.
The Cubs got on the board in the top of the sixth via Junior Lake's two-run bomb (1) to left. However, as Lake crossed the plate, he and Realmuto exchanged words. According to the announcers, Realmuto did not like Lake's staring at the home run, and he let the Cubs' young right fielder know about it. Lake responded, which led to both benches clearing, but no punches were thrown.
Matt Szczur's RBI single later in the inning completed the Cubs' rally.
Dan Haren (W: 6-2, 3.18) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the win. He allowed three earned runs on six hits while walking two, striking out three, and serving up Lake's home run. Four Marlins relievers held the Cubs scoress for the remainder of the game.
Jon Lester (L: 4-4, 3.86) lasted five innings while giving up six earned runs on nine hits. He walked one, struck out four, and gave up both Marlins fifth-inning home runs.
With the loss, coupled with a Pittsburgh Pirates win, the Cubs dropped into third place in the N.L. Central, one game behind the Pirates and seven games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals, who also won Wednesday.
The Marlins have Thursday off and will begin a weekend series with the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field Friday night. The Cubs, meanwhile, travel to our nation's capital for a four-game set with the Washington Nationals beginning Thursday night.