Mat Latos settles in after first inning but Marlins fall to Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) -- The frustration is mounting for the Miami Marlins.
Despite seven strong innings from Mat Latos, the Marlins couldn't muster any offense against Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks.
Hendricks threw 7 1-3 strong innings, Chris Coghlan added an RBI single and the Cubs earned a 2-0 win over the Marlins on Sunday.
Latos (3-6) pitched well in the loss allowing one run, one hit and two walks in seven innings.
"Anytime a pitcher goes out there and does as good as he does and doesn't get the win, it's really frustrating," Marlins first baseman Justin Bour said.
Latos' only shaky inning was the first. He walked Coghlan, gave up a single to Kris Bryant as Coghlan advanced to third. Later in the inning, Latos' wild pitch bounced into the stands, allowing Coghlan to score to put the Cubs ahead 1-0.
"It was a fastball and I just spiked it," Latos said. "It was just a bad pitch and it cost the team the ballgame."
Latos then retired 20 of the next 22 batters, and the Cubs didn't get another hit until the eighth inning when Chris Denorfia led off the inning with a pinch-hit double off reliever Carter Capps. Denorfia scored on Coghlan's single.
Hendricks (4-4) allowed five hits, walked one and struck out six.
The Marlins didn't get a runner past first until the seventh inning, when Christian Yelich led off with a walk and moved to second on Adeiny Hechavarria's single. They were stranded as Hendricks got three quick outs on five pitches.
The Marlins were held to four runs and went 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position during their three-game series in Chicago. They have lost two in a row after winning four straight.
"It's frustrating right now," Miami manager Dan Jennings said. "We were on such a good momentum run. But you have to be able to win these close games by executing when you get those runners in scoring position."
Pedro Strop struck out one in the eighth and Jason Motte earned his fourth save.
It was the 10th time in the past 12 games that the Cubs had scored two or fewer runs.
RIZZO GETS DAY OFF
Anthony Rizzo is 3 for 28 in his past 10 games with two RBIs. He had started all 79 games for the Cubs this season until Sunday. But Cubs manager Joe Maddon said it wasn't production that had Rizzo out of the lineup -- a big concern is that he's been hit by a pitch more than anyone else in the league after getting plunked for the 17th time on Saturday night. That already ties the Cubs record for most times getting hit in a season since 1900, matching Marlon Byrd in 2010 and Frank Chance in 1905.
MARLINS NEED MORE OFFENSE
Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (left wrist fracture) won't be off the disabled list for a while -- and the Marlins just have to deal with that, manager Dan Jennings said. "We had won five out of six without (Stanton). He's not coming back in the next two or three weeks. It's going to run the course of the surgery and there's enough talent in here to win. It's about executing when the opportunity presents itself."
ROSTER MOVE
The Marlins optioned outfielder Marcell Ozuna to Triple-A after the game. Ozuna is batting .252 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 78 games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: First baseman Michael Morse returned from the 15-day disabled list after a rehab stint for a sprained finger and a tweaked back. Morse didn't start, but struck out pinch hitting in the eighth.
Cubs: OF Jorge Soler returned from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Soler sprained his left ankle June 1 and was returning from a four-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa.
UP NEXT
Marlins: The Marlins are off Monday. On Tuesday, they'll visit Fenway Park in Boston for the first time since 2012, when they were swept in a three-game series. RHP Dan Haren (6-5, 3.45 ERA) goes to the mound in Boston for the Marlins. Haren hasn't faced the Red Sox since 2011. Haren gave up three earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings, but got a no-decision in his previous outing July 1 against the Giants. LHP Wade Miley (8-7, 4.53) will pitch for the Red Sox.
Cubs: LHP Jon Lester (4-6, 3.74) will face St. Louis Cardinals RHP John Lackey (6-5, 3.30 ERA) Monday night in Chicago. Lester shut out the Mets and struck out seven through seven innings in his previous outing, but got a no-decision.
