Yelich, Mathis lead Marlins to 11-0 win over Cards

MIAMI -- Christian Yelich and Jeff Mathis each had three hits and drove in two runs to help lead the Miami Marlins to an 11-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

Marcell Ozuna hit a two-run home run and Martin Prado had a two-run double for the Marlins. They drew even with the Cardinals at 56-48 for the second NL wild-card spot.

Miami outfielder Ichiro Suzuki remained at 2,998 hits, going 0 for 2 after entering as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. Suzuki is 2 for 16 on the homestand that concludes today.

Colin Rea exited early with an elbow injury in his Marlins debut after being acquired from San Diego in a trade. Rea pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.

David Phelps (5-5) relieved Rea and threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four, to earn the victory.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a double in the fourth inning. Molina is hitting .385 (20 for 52) with two home runs and four RBIs during the span.

St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia (7-8) also only lasted 3 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs and seven hits.

The Marlins scored four runs in the first, sparked by Ozuna's two-run homer -- his 19th.

Miami also plated four in the fourth keyed by a two-run double by Prado to push its lead to 8-0. Prado is hitting .472 (17 for 36) with two home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Florida added three runs in the sixth.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: 3B Jhonny Peralta (thumb) took batting practice with hopes of being reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday when the Cardinals begin a series at Cincinnati. ... IF Matt Carpenter (oblique) and 1B Brandon Moss (ankle) are also close to returning to a crowded infield. "We'll figure out how it all comes together and how we plug them in when we get there," manager Mike Matheny said.

Marlins: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (sprained elbow) is in the process of returning, but will not make the road trip when the team heads out Aug. 1-7. "Chen is starting the process--not throwing, but with strengthening exercises," manager Don Mattingly said. "He seems to be OK."

Up next

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (10-6, 2.87 ERA) will start today's series finale against the Marlins. Martinez has only allowed three extra-base hits to right-handed batters this season.

Marlins: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-7, 4.76) will make his Marlins debut after being acquired in a trade with San Diego on Friday. Cashner is 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 23 strikeouts to just three walks over his last three starts.