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D-Backs can't solve Nolasco in loss to Marlins
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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds has a hard ground ball bounce off the heal of his glove during fourth inning action against the Florida Marlins at Chase Field. Aug. 24, 2008.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
If there's some consolation in another loss to the Marlins, it's that the Diamondbacks don't have to see them anymore.
SLIDESHOW: Diamondbacks fall to Marlins
D-Backs notebook: Drew steps up as rest of lineup struggles
Right-hander Ricky Nolasco was magnificent in 7 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and two runs and striking out 10 as Florida beat Arizona 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Chase Field for the series victory.
The Marlins won all three series between the teams this year and won seven of the nine contests overall.
"Good riddance to them," manager Bob Melvin said. "They've been tough on us all year."
Florida had lost nine of 13 games heading into the series, but showed why it's a team that has stayed in the National League East race with the Mets and Phillies.
The pitching staff is a major reason, and Nolasco had the Arizona offense off-balance much of the contest.
"You've got to give him credit," Stephen Drew said. "He knows what he's doing."
The Marlins went ahead 1-0 in the top of the first before a Drew homer in the bottom half of the inning tied it.
Florida scored one run each in the second and sixth before an RBI ground-out by Conor Jackson scored Drew to cut the deficit to 3-2 heading into the seventh inning.
The Marlins tacked on in the top of the ninth inning, scoring a pair of runs on three doubles off embattled closer Brandon Lyon for a 5-2 lead.
The Diamondbacks (68-62) had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Tony Clark and Mark Reynolds struck out.
The runs off Lyon added to the recent bullpen struggles for him and the team. Fellow reliever Jon Rauch gave up a one-run lead in the eighth inning of Friday's loss to Florida.
Arizona starter Doug Davis was battling sore ribs earlier this week, but had a good outing.
He gave up one run in each of the first two innings before settling in, giving up three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Still, it wasn't enough to outduel Nolasco.
"I pretty much got outpitched," Davis said. "Nolasco, you have to tip your hat to him. He pitched a great game."
The D-Backs struck out 13 times in the contest, including three each by Reynolds and Clark.
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