Smith solid, but Marlins drop 6th straight

MIAMI — In what’s been an all-too recurring theme, the Miami Marlins received a strong starting pitching performance, but generated minimal run support.

On Tuesday night, Miami sent Caleb Smith, who’s quickly become the team’s ace, to the mound in hopes of snapping a five-game losing streak. The left-hander turned in a solid effort, limiting the American

League East-leading

Tampa Bay Rays to just two runs, but the Marlins’ offense was stifled once again as the team fell, 4-0.

The Marlins, last in runs scored, were shut out for the eighth time this season.

Miami is now on a season-worst six-game losing streak and has dropped nine of its past 10 games.

Smith pitched 5 1⁄3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks. One of the National League’s top strikeout artists, Smith fanned eight batters on 106 pitches. While the 27 year old was strong, Tampa Bay was able to push his pitch count up — fouling off 35 pitches. In the fourth inning, Rays second baseman Daniel Robertson battled with Smith in a 13-pitch at bat before striking out.

As usual, Smith relied primarily on his fastball/slider combination, which accounted for 81 percent of his pitches. The left-hander induced 15 swinging strikes on those pitches.

Smith (3-1) took his first loss of the season as his ERA moved to 2.25. The lefty has been one of the National League’s top starters this season. Entering Tuesday, Smith was second in WHIP, second in opposing batting average and sixth in ERA.

At the plate, the Marlins tallied six hits on the night. Neil Walker finished 2 for 4, while Jon Berti, Brian Anderson, Starlin Castro and Harold Ramirez all notched base hits.

Avisail Garcia led Tampa Bay offensively, finishing 3 for 4 with three RBI, including a mammoth 471-foot home run to center. The second-inning blast was the fifth-longest homer at Marlins Park since 2015 — the first year Statcast began tracking such data.

Miami and Tampa Bay will wrap up their two-game set Wednesday night.