Hyun-Jin Ryu delivered seven strong innings in his first home outing since starting the All-Star Game and the Los Angeles Dodgers earned a 2-1 victory Friday over the visiting Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers struggled for offense after a cross-country flight from Philadelphia one day earlier and the completion of a seven-game road trip to open the second half against the Phillies and Boston Red Sox.
The go-ahead run scored in the sixth inning on a two-out error by Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro, who could not corral Enrique Hernandez's hard ground ball that was hit right at him. The Dodgers also scored their first run in the sixth inning on a fielder's choice grounder from Corey Seager that was hit to Castro.
Marlins rookie right-hander Zac Gallen (0-2) was effective in his fifth career start, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits over 5 1/3 innings with four walks and five strikeouts.
As good as Gallen was, he could not stay with Ryu (11-2), who gave up one run on four hits over seven innings with three walks and seven strikeouts.
The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a one-out single from Harold Ramirez and an RBI double to left-center from Jorge Alfaro. It was just the third run driven in by Alfaro in 13 July games.
After the bullpen coughed up two leads in defeats at Philadelphia this week, Dodgers starter Kenta Meada was used out of the bullpen. Maeda was available after his start on Wednesday was reduced to two innings because of a lengthy rain delay.
The right-hander, who has pitched out of the bullpen for parts of the last two seasons, delivered a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth inning for his 24th save.
It was the Dodgers' first home game since July 7, when they were dealt a third consecutive defeat by the San Diego Padres to close out the first half.
The Marlins lost after taking two of three at home from the San Diego Padres this week. It was the third series victory for the last-place Marlins since June 21-23 at Philadelphia.
--Field Level Media
