Stanton hits 24th HR in win over Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — Giancarlo Stanton hit his 24th home run to back another strong start by Dan Straily, and the Miami Marlins beat the San Francisco Giants 6-1 on Friday night.
J.T. Realmuto also homered and had three hits, Dee Gordon added four hits and JT Riddle drove in two runs to help the Marlins win the opener of their final series before the All-Star break.
The Marlins batted around during a four-run first inning highlighted by Stanton’s opposite field two-run homer off starter Matt Moore (3-9).
Stanton — who will defend his title in the Home Run Derby at next week’s All-Star Game in Miami — also doubled off the bricks in right field in the fourth.
Denard Span homered into McCovey Cove off Straily with one out in the ninth.
Six of the first eight Marlins hitters reached base during the first-inning onslaught, including four consecutive two-out singles. Miami has scored 67 first-inning runs this season, second in the majors behind Milwaukee’s 75.
Straily (7-4) made it stand up to remain unbeaten in four career starts against San Francisco. The Miami righthander allowed four hits and came within two outs of pitching his first career complete game while improving to 6-1 over his past 12 starts.
Dustin McGowan retired two batters to complete the five-hitter.
Realmuto hit his eighth home run in the fifth off Cory Gearrin.
The Giants, coming off their first winning road trip of the season, had only one runner advance past first base.
Moore retired only 10 batters and allowed five runs and 12 hits.