Miami Marlins at Chicago Cubs

Duvall hits slam, 2-run shot, Marlins clobber Cubs 10-2

Jon Berti added a three-run homer on a warm, windless evening as the Marlins dealt the Cubs their fourth loss in five. Jorge Alfaro had three hits and scored twice as the teams met for the first time since Miami swept Chicago 2-0 in their NL wild-card series in October.

Duvall had three hits. He smacked his fifth career slam to cap Miami’s five-run third inning against shaky Cubs starter Zach Davies. Davies (4-4) gave up a career-high eight runs after not allowing any in his previous two starts.

Duvall’s second homer of the game and 14th of the season came on a towering fly to left off Dan Winkler in the seventh. Duvall has two multihomer games this season and nine for his career.

A hot-and-cold slugger throughout his career, the 32-year-old Duvall is still hitting just .215 this year.

But when Duvall starts connecting, the results can be explosive.

“When it's hot, it's not usually solos, it's multiple runs,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He is just kind of instant hot. You just don't know with Duvy, but it's dangerous when it's hot.”

Duvall said he tries to be more consistent than his stats suggest.

“This is what I strive for every day, even if it's not attainable,” Duvall said. “I strive to impact the game in a positive way and be a guy we can lean on to drive in runs and play good defense.”

Joc Pederson hit two solo homers in his first two at-bats. It was Pederson’s second two-homer game this season and 17th of his career.

The Cubs have scored just 11 runs in their last five games following a hot run that propelled them to the top of the NL Central.

“It's a long season,” Pederson said. “I think we just won a lot of games in row led by our offense. If we did that all season, we'd win 120 games. That's not realistic."

Marlins rookie starter Cody Poteet was activated off the 10-day injured list before the game, then left with two outs in the fourth after throwing 80 pitches. The right-hander allowed two runs — on Pederson’s drives — and three hits while walking four and striking out five.

John Curtiss (3-1), the first of three Miami relievers, tossed 1 1/3 innings to earn the win as the Marlins bullpen completed a four-hitter.

Davies allowed eight hits and walked three after not yielding a run in his previous 14 2/3 innings.

The Marlins loaded the bases with one out in the third, then Starling Marté walked to force in Miami’s first run. After Jesus Aguilar popped out, Duvall ripped Davies’ 1-0 pitch into the left-field bleachers.

“To be able to get a pitch that was in my zone with the bases loaded was just the cherry on top,” Duvall said.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

The Cubs played just the ninth Friday night game at Wrigley Field since lights were installed in 1988. Six of them took place in 2020 when no fans were allowed due to COVID-19.

The Cubs got permission from a Chicago City Council committee to play the night home contest because the team knew it would return to Chicago early in the morning after playing the Mets in New York on Thursday night.

Friday and Saturday night games usually are prohibited at the iconic ballpark because they worsen parking and congestion problems when nearby bars and restaurants draw big crowds.

EVEN BIGGER

Duvall hit three homers twice in an eight-game span last season while with Atlanta. He had nine RBI in the second game, on Sept. 9, 2020 as the Braves ripped the Marlins 29-9.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: Poteet suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee on June 4. He was able to throw wearing a knee brace while sidelines. ... Miami also activated SS Miguel Rojas (dislocated left index finger) off the 10-day injured list. He started and batted fifth. ... To make room for Poteet and Rojas, the Marlins optioned INF Isan Diaz and OF Lewis Brinson to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Cubs: Manager David Ross said INF Nico Hoerner, out since May 25 with a left hamstring strain, has resumed baseball activities. ... RHP Trevor Williams, who underwent an appendectomy on May 30, also is progressing.

UP NEXT

Marlins RHP Pablo Lopez (2-4, 3.12) faces Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (5-7, 5.14) on Saturday.

How can I watch Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs?

• TV Channel: Marlins at Cubs 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on MLB.tv.
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