Giancarlo Stanton goes yard twice but Marlins fall to Blue Jays
TORONTO (AP) -- A.J. Ramos gave up his first home run in more than a year on Tuesday night. It couldn't have come at a worse time for the Miami Marlins.
Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer off Ramos in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their winning streak to seven games, beating the Marlins 4-3.
"He actually made a nice pitch that was hit out of the ballpark," manager Dan Jennings said. "It was just a good piece of hitting, the ball was down and away. You know what? We get the chance tomorrow, we'll run him right back out there. That's how much we believe in him."
Ramos hadn't allowed a home run since May 28, 2014, when Washington's Wilson Ramos took him deep.
"A.J. has been great," Marlins starter Dan Haren said. "He's been one of the best relievers in the National League. I just gave him a pat on the back. He's just got to bounce back. It happens to everybody. The guy has been money, lock-down for us all year."
Ramos (0-1) took his third blown save.
"I was looking for a fastball at the beginning of the count," Encarnacion said. "He threw me a first-pitch fastball and I didn't miss it."
Giancarlo Stanton hit two solo home runs for the Marlins, who lost for the third time in four games. Stanton leads the majors with 21 homers and 51 RBIs.
Josh Donaldson led off the ninth with a single that dropped in front of Stanton in right. After Jose Bautista struck out, Encarnacion followed with his 13th homer and first since May 24.
"They're a good hitting team and that group in the middle of the lineup is probably as good as any in baseball," Jennings said. "They hunt the fastball and they're certainly capable of doing damage when they get it."
It was the fourth walkoff homer of Encarnacion's career. He returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous two games with a sore left shoulder.
Liam Hendriks (2-0) pitched one inning for the win as the Blue Jays won in their final at bat for the second time in three games.
Encarnacion's drive denied Haren his third straight win. Haren allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings. He walked none and struck out seven, matching his season high.
"Tremendous job by Dan Haren," Jennings said. "He's an artist out there."
Stanton opened the scoring by homering off Mark Buehrle in the first, then broke a 2-2 tie by connecting off Roberto Osuna in the seventh. It was his third multihomer game of the season and the 16th of his career.
Christian Yelich also homered for the Marlins.
Toronto's Chris Colabello went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, ending his hitting streak at 18 games.
DOGG ON THE FIELD
Rapper Snoop Dogg threw out the first pitch wearing a Blue Jays jersey with `Dogg' and the number 20 on the back. After jokingly shaking off catcher Jose Bautista twice, Snoop Dogg's pitch was high and outside.
WEB GEM
Marlins 2B Dee Gordon raced into foul territory behind first base and made a sliding catch to retire Toronto slugger Josh Donaldson in the sixth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Jennings said RHP Mat Latos (left knee) is expected to be activated soon after throwing 4 2-3 inning in a rehab start at Triple-A New Orleans on Monday. "It could be within a week," Jennings said. "We're looking at the rotation and where he could potentially fit in."
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Tom Koehler (4-3, 3.72) has won his past two decisions and allowed just one run over seven innings in his past start, June 5 at Colorado. Koehler has never faced the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: Toronto will skip rookie RHP Aaron Sanchez this time through the rotation. Gibbons said Sanchez is suffering from general soreness. "We can't take a chance so we'll back him off," Gibbons said. Following the game, RHP Scott Copeland was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to start against Miami on Wednesday, with INF Munenori Kawasaki optioned to Buffalo. Copeland has made two relief appearances for the Blue Jays this season.
