Coleman, Cubs beat Marlins 5-1
MIAMI — Casey Coleman had a career-high seven strikeouts in 5 2-3 shutout innings Thursday, and the Chicago Cubs completed a two-game series sweep by beating the Florida Marlins 5-1.
Coleman (2-3) walked five but retired five batters with runners in scoring position and lowered his ERA from 7.22 to 6.03.
He departed after throwing 109 pitches, and four relievers completed the eight-hitter, with Carlos Marmol pitching a scoreless ninth. Marmol has thrown 22 2-3 consecutive shutout innings on the road since Aug. 25.
Marlon Byrd hit a two-run homer, his third of the season and his second in two nights against Florida. Starlin Castro hit a two-out, two-run double in the ninth, and Reed Johnson doubled home Chicago's first.
The Cubs have won their past five games in Miami. They now head to Fenway Park, where they'll play this weekend for the first time since the 1918 World Series.
Florida's Mike Stanton struck out three times against Coleman, then hit his ninth homer in the eighth off Kerry Wood. But the Marlins stranded 12 runners and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Leadoff hitter Chris Coghlan went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, and he's in a 3-for-33 slump that has dropped his average to .238.
Chris Volstad (2-3) allowed three runs in five innings. Florida trailed 3-0 when he was pulled for a pinch-hitter by manager Edwin Rodriguez after throwing only 71 pitches.
Chicago scored in the second inning on doubles by Carlos Pena and Johnson. Amaris Ramirez doubled and Byrd homered in the fourth.
The Cubs were only 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position before Castro doubled in the ninth off Burke Badenhop to score Koyie Hill and Kosuke Fukudome, who reached on singles.
NOTES: The Marlins lead the NL with a record of 127-107 (.543) in interleague play going into their weekend series against Tampa Bay. ... Heading into the Cubs' weekend series at Fenway Park, Byrd has a career average of .378 (17 for 45) in 12 games there. ... Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez committed his eighth error in the first inning. ... Fukudome is 1 for 14 lifetime against Volstad.