MIAMI -- Had Charles Dickens witnessed Friday's opener between the Oakland Athletics and Miami Marlins, he may have written a story titled ''A Tale of Two Slides.''
Down 2-0 in the third, Miami's Garrett Jones singled to left. Giancarlo Stanton, who was on second, rounded third and beat Yoenis Cespedes' throw home. But Stanton slid feet first and Bud Norris' tag got him before his hand touched the plate.
The Marlins elected not to challenge the play after their video staff confirmed the call by home-plate umpire Marty Foster.
This spring, Major League Baseball implemented rules to prevent home-plate collisions. Catchers are unable to block the plate, and runners must be given a lane.
''In a situation like yesterday if my feet had hit first I would've been safe,'' Stanton said. ''Little things like that change the whole game. I did make it, but I just didn't get there with my hand. I beat the throw, bang-bang play. I should have hit it with my legs first.''
Added manager Mike Redmond: ''I just think the quickest way is to just slide straight into the plate. Since you can't run the catcher over anymore, it's caused guys to go around and try to avoid the contact. It's too bad because you take the aggressiveness out of the play for the runner.''
Six innings later, Cespedes singled to right and Stanton's throw beat Coco Crisp to the plate. Unlike the previous play, however, Crisp was able to touch home before catcher Jeff Mathis' tag.
Crisp was initially ruled out, but upon further review the call was overturned as the A's would go on to score four runs off righty Steve Cishek in the ninth.
''It's a tough one for the catchers because it's a play (Mathis) would've blocked the plate and that guy definitely would've been out,'' Redmond said. ''We were talking about it this morning that throw from right field is the toughest one for a catcher because that runner can get in -- you can't see him. He just got his foot in there.''
GAME-CHANGING PLAY
In the eighth inning, Redmond brought in Jake Marisnick to play center and moved Marcell Ozuna to left for defensive purposes.
After two quick outs, righty Kevin Gregg allowed a single up the middle to Stephen Vogt. Josh Reddick followed by sending a shallow ball to left. Rather than let it drop, Ozuna dove for it.
''When I got to field the ball I thought I would make the catch with two outs for the last out and ready for the next inning,'' Ozuna said. ''Most of the time with two outs if you have a chance to dive and catch it, you do it. That's what happened on that play. Two outs just thinking make the last out.''
Ozuna held up his glove thinking the ball was still there, but it was not. He didn't know that until he heard Marisnick yell to throw home. Vogt raced around the bases and scored the tying run, while Reddick ended up at third.
''It was aggressive for the score and the inning,'' Redmond said following the game. ''I thought he caught it then I saw it bounce out but probably a little aggressive.''
TRANSACTIONS
As expected, the Marlins optioned outfielder Jake Marisnick and rookie right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to Triple-A New Orleans following Saturday's game.
Marisnick went 8 for 47 (.170) with 18 strikeouts in 13 games. After consecutive multi-hit contests upon his return to the big leagues, he slumped by going 4 for 37. The corresponding move for Marisnick is expected to be Christian Yelich, who is set to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday.
DeSclafani took over Randy Wolf's spot in the rotation two weeks ago, but allowed 13 runs in 13 innings in three starts. He went 0-1 during that span. On Friday, he lasted just three frames before exiting with a right forearm contusion.
DYSON BACK
Right-hander Sam Dyson was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans as the corresponding roster move as left-hander Brian Flynn was optioned following Friday's game.
In his first stint with the Marlins earlier this month, Dyson earned the victory in his lone appearance June 17 against the Chicago Cubs. After pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings, he was optioned to the Zephyrs.
Dyson didn't save a ball from the outing and left the scorecard with Redmond, telling him to ''put it on his fridge.''
''A win's a win whether it's here or there,'' Dyson said. ''It's important obviously to get your first big-league win but just trying to help the team and do what I need to do.''
With righties A.J. Ramos and Chris Hatcher unavailable out of the bullpen after Thursday's marathon 14-inning loss in Philadelphia, the Marlins needed another arm. Miami recalled Flynn on Friday but he had to work three frames when starter Anthony DeSclafani exited with a right forearm contusion.
''We've been in a long stretch of games with extra-inning games,'' Redmond said. ''I think it was one of those things where we need some arms to cover us. We still have a couple guys to stay away from. We needed to give them a blow. We're not even to the All-Star break yet and we've used these guys a lot.
''It was one of the concerns early in the season when I talked about it -- the use of the bullpen. Here we are where we continue to push on these guys. We need them for the long haul, not just for today or tomorrow.''
WORTH NOTING
-- Second baseman Rafael Furcal made an appearance in the clubhouse prior to Saturday's batting practice. Furcal went on the 15-day disabled list June 22 with a left hamstring strain after trying to break up an inning-ending double play. He had been reinstated from the 60-day DL nine games earlier.
Asked whether the 36-year-old was a long way's away, Redmond replied ''Yeah, I think so.''
''He's the same, he's good,'' Redmond said. ''He's moving around fine. It's just time I think. The timetable for him is when he can start moving around feeling good.''
-- Ramos, who threw 50 pitches over two innings in Thursday's loss, was unavailable again. Redmond said the righty has not had an MRI -- contrary to a report.
-- The Marlins have signed 30 of their 42 picks as well as two non-drafted free agents. Those who have not include American Heritage School shortstop Anfernee Seymour (seventh round), University of Texas left-hander Dillon Peters (10th) and Corning East High School shortstop Zach Sullivan (14th).
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
