MIAMI (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton’s 20th home run put the Miami Marlins ahead to stay, and they completed their first series sweep of Cincinnati since 2003, winning 7-3 Sunday.
Stanton, who will compete Monday in the All-Star Home Run Derby, was batting .193 on June 15 but has surged of late and goes into the break with an average of .233 and 50 RBIs. His two-run homer in the fifth gave Miami a 4-3 lead.
Thanks to three consecutive wins over last-place Cincinnati, the Marlins (47-41) have their best record at the All-Star break since 1997. The Reds were swept in Miami for the first time since 1996.
Miami’s Adeiny Hechavarria scored from second base on a passed ball, a franchise first.
Four Marlins relievers combined to allow two baserunners over the final five innings. Mike Dunn (1-1) pitched a perfect fifth to break the franchise record for career pitching appearances with his 369th.
Rookie Cody Reed (0-4) allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
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