AJ Pollock

Fernandez too much for D-backs, Marlins take series

Published Jul. 23, 2015 1:51 a.m. ET

foxsports

PHOENIX -- Jose Fernandez mixed his pitches well, putting together a strong fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery.

One pitch that got away from him nearly spoiled his night.

Fernandez struck out 11 in seven innings to lift the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, but was concerned after hitting David Peralta in the head with a pitch in the sixth inning.

"It's really scary; you never want to hit someone in the head," said Fernandez.

Fernandez (3-0) was sharp through the first five innings, hitting 98 mph on the radar gun while getting the Diamondbacks to repeatedly swing through pitches.

There was plenty of baseball to be played after Fernandez left the game and the Diamondbacks made it exciting.

In the eighth inning, Arizona had runners on second and third with no outs, but didn't score. Third baseman Martin Prado saved a run by throwing Paul Goldschmidt out at the plate after making a nifty grab and Bryan Morris struck out Oscar Hernandez with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The ninth was an even better escape act by the Marlins.

Closer A.J. Ramos, who blew a save on Sunday, walked Aaron Hill, then gave up singles to Ender Inciarte and pinch hitter Wellington Castillo to load the bases.

He clamped down after that, striking out Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock and Yasmany Tomas for his 16th save.

"Not good for the manager's heart, but pretty exciting," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said.

Fernandez did his part to get the Marlins there, allowing three runs on five hits to win for the fifth time in 18 career road starts. The right-hander also had his second RBI of the season, following J.T. Realmuto's run-scoring double with one of his own in Miami's three-run second inning off Robbie Ray (3-5).

"I feel pretty healthy," said Fernandez. "I feel, I don't want to say like I was before, but I feel I've grown as a pitcher and a person."

Ray had been sharp over his past two starts, allowing two earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

The Marlins jumped on the left-hander early, scoring three runs in the second inning. Florida added two more in the fifth inning, on Ichiro Suzuki's triple and a run-scoring single by Martin Prado.

Ray allowed five runs -- four earned -- on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.

"I was feeling great that first inning," Ray said. "That is something I need to work on, eliminating that bad inning. It got to me today."

Diamondbacks: Castillo was scratched from the starting lineup as a precaution due to left hamstring tightness and limped to first base after his ninth-inning single before being replaced by a pinch runner.

Marlins: RHP Tom Koehler is 3-5 with a 4.85 ERA in 10 road starts heading into Thursday's game against San Diego on Thursday.

Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Godley will make his major league debut against Milwaukee on Thursday. He was acquired from the Chicago Cubs for catcher Miguel Montero in an offseason trade.