Former Cougar notches first win
The Marlins got what should have been a feel-good win for a rookie pitcher making his first major league start Saturday at Marlins Park at Miami.
The 14-3 victory was overshadowed by the painful blow of losing their second All-Star to a hand injury.
Dee Gordon, voted as the starter for the National League at second base, dislocated his left thumb when he dove safely into first base with an infield single in the seventh inning against the Reds. He immediately headed for the dugout and slammed his helmet down as he exited.
The Marlins are already missing All-Star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton due to a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
Former Washington State pitcher Adam Conley, called up from Triple-A New Orleans to start in place of Mat Latos (bruised foot), danced around trouble well enough to earn his first career win in his first career start.
He trailed 2-0 before a rare five-run outburst by the Marlins in the fifth inning wiped out a 2-0 deficit and put Conley in position for the win.
Conley, selected as an All-Star in the Pacific Coast League with New Orleans, gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. But a couple of outstanding plays and the ample size of the ballpark kept the Reds from piling up more runs early.
Gordon’s infield hit in the seventh started a run of nine consecutive hits by the Marlins in the inning, a club record. They tied a club record with 10 hits in the inning while scoring eight runs.
They finished with their biggest offensive output of the season for runs and hits (21).
It was the second time the Marlins defeated the Reds this season after summoning a young left-hander from the minor leagues to fill in for an injured starter against the Reds.
The call-up continued a recent run of good fortune for Conley, who on Monday was selected Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week. That came on the heels of being chosen as the starting pitcher for the PCL in Wednesday’s Triple-A All-Star Game. He was 8-2 for the Zephyrs, and his 2.33 ERA was tied for second in the league.
Braves’ Grilli out for season
Atlanta closer Jason Grilli ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon, the Braves announced.
Grilli suffered the injury as he ran toward first to cover the base on Drew Stubbs’ grounder to first to begin the ninth inning. The Braves pitcher is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Clearing the bases
The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms on a contract with right-hander Neftali Feliz. Feliz joined the Tigers at Minnesota, a week after being let go by the Texas Rangers. Feliz replaced rookie right-hander Jeff Ferrell, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo. … The Boston Red Sox have placed right-hander Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow. To take his place, the club selected left-hander Brian Johnson, a highly touted prospect, from Triple-A Pawtucket before their game against the New York Yankees. … Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier was added to the American League All-Star squad by A.L. manager Ned Yost, replacing Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista. … The St. Louis Cardinals recalled relievers Sam Tuivailala and Nick Greenwood from Triple-A Memphis to bolster the bullpen for the final two games before the All-Star break.