Austin Gomber, Rockies hold off Marlins rally in Miami

MIAMI, June 10 (UPI) -- The Colorado Rockies got off to a great start in the second game of their series against the Miami Marlins, but had to lean on their bullpen amid a late rally to secure the victory in Miami.

Charlie Blackmon, Yonathan Daza and Connor Joe each drove in runs in the 4-3 win Wednesday at loanDepot park. Rockies starter Austin Gomber earned his fifth win of the season. He allowed five hits and one run in the first five innings.

"This guy [Gomber] competes, and he competes hard," Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters. "He's got a desire to pitch well.

"He's got a desire to improve. He's a great student. He wants it."

Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia doubled in the first at-bat of the game. Blackmon brought Tapia home with an RBI single to right field two at-bats later for a 1-0 lead.

Center fielder Yonathan Daza doubled the lead with another RBI single in the top of the third frame. The Rockies added a third run on a passed ball in the top of the fifth frame.

Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. plated the home team's first run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Rockies responded with a score on a fielder's choice in the top of the sixth inning to push their lead back to three runs.

The Marlins rally started in the bottom of the same frame. Relief pitcher Tyler Kinley replaced Gomber on the mound at the start of the half-inning. He forced Jesus Aguilar to fly out in his first exchange. Kinley then walked Corey Dickerson, which sent Marlins right fielder Adam Duvall to the plate with one out and a runner on first base.

Duvall fouled off consecutive sliders from Kinley to start the exchange. He sent Kinley's third offering, another slider, to left field for a 398-foot, two-run homer.

The Marlins bullpen tightened up down the stretch, but the home team stranded seven runners on base over the final three innings and couldn't tie the contest.

Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard allowed one hit and issued a walk, but didn't allow any runs in the ninth inning to earn his eighth save of 2021.

Blackmon went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored in the win. Tapia collected three hits and scored twice for the Rockies. Chisholm went 2 for 5 with an RBI for the Marlins.

"I liked our energy. ... I thought the at-bats were really good," Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters. "We are still making some mistakes that are hurting us. Some guys hits some balls on the nose with guys on base, but we didn't seem to find any holes."

The Marlins host the Rockies in the final game of the series at 7:10 p.m. EDT Thursday at loanDepot park.