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Ichiro Suzuki leads Miami Marlins' rally past Arizona Diamondbacks

By Walter Villa, The Sports Xchange
Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki tips his cap to the crowd. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki tips his cap to the crowd. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

a MIAMI -- Ichiro Suzuki has had 149 at-bats with the bases loaded, which is a jaw-dropping statistic and speaks to the longevity of the 42-year-old's career.

But here's an even better Suzuki stat:

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His career batting average in those situations is .383, and that includes his go-ahead, two-run, pinch-hit single to center on Tuesday night that helped the Miami Marlins rally to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-4 at Marlins Park.

"It's a testament to his work ethic," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Suzuki, "and what he has to do to feel that way at age 42."

The Marlins, who trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, got a two-run homer in that inning by Marcell Ozuna, a towering blow to left. It was his fifth homer of the season.

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Four batters later, with the bases loaded and no outs, Suzuki hit a 2-0 pitch from reliever Jake Barrett to give Miami a 5-4 lead. Suzuki, who is batting .333 in a part-time role, needs 53 hits to reach 3,000.

"That was the difference in the game -- that at-bat," Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich said of Suzuki. "That's why he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

The Marlins added another run in the seventh when Yelich pulled a solo homer that hit the façade in right field. It was Yelich's second homer of the season and just the fourth he has hit at Marlins Park.

"I don't hit many here," Yelich said. "I have to enjoy the ones I do hit."

In the eighth, J.T. Realmuto closed Miami's scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Miami starter Justin Nicolino (2-0) earned the win despite allowing seven hits, three walks and four runs in six innings.

"I had bad fastball command," Nicolino said. "It was just bad pitches, up in the zone."

A.J. Ramos, Miami's third reliever of the night, worked a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save. Kyle Barraclough and David Phelps worked scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.

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Andrew Chafin (0-1), who walked both batters he faced in the sixth inning, took the loss. He threw eight pitches -- all balls -- in relief of starter Patrick Corbin.

"I knew warming up in the bullpen it was going to be tough," Chafin said. "I didn't have a good feel today.

"My sinker was going about three feet to the left. It usually just goes down. I wasn't able to make the adjustment."

Arizona had its five-game road win streak snapped. Arizona had also won four straight games at Marlins Park.

Realmuto, the first catcher ever to lead off a game for the Marlins, got Miami off to a good start. He stroked a double to left in the first inning and came around to score on a groundout by Yelich.

Arizona got singles by Rickie Weeks and Wellington Castillo and a walk to Yasmany Tomas to load the bases with no outs in the second inning. Arizona failed to get another hit the rest of the inning, and Miami escaped having allowed just two runs.

Castillo's two-run homer in the top of the sixth game Arizona a 4-1 lead before Miami rallied.

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"It's very disappointing," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "We had it all in front of us. Patrick (Corbin) looked great. It just seemed like he got tired a bit."

NOTES: Marlins 1B Justin Bour dislocated his left pinky finger while sliding. His status has not yet been determined. ... Marlins C J.T. Realmuto said Tuesday was the first time in his life that he hit leadoff. ... According to a published report, Marlins and Pirates players -- concerned with the health risks posed by the Zica virus -- are in favor of moving two games set for May 30-31 from Puerto Rico to Miami. MLB is unlikely to oppose the players' wishes. ... Miami came off a 7-3 road trip. The Marlins are one of four teams with 10 or more road wins, sporting a 10-5 record away from home. ... Arizona just completed a 3-7 homestand. Arizona got a day off on Monday, ending a streak of playing a game on 20 straight days. ... Miami sent LHP Cody Ege to Triple-A New Orleans and called up RHP Nefi Ogando from the same club. ... Arizona announced on Monday that Randy Johnson Way -- a street in front of Chase Field --- will be dedicated on May 12.

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