The Toronto Blue Jays had little problem getting runners on base Sunday afternoon. Knocking them home was another story.
The Blue Jays stranded 15 base runners as the Florida Marlins notched a 4-1 win in Miami to sweep the three-game interleague series.
Toronto loaded the bases in the first, second and fifth innings but only came away with one run to show for their efforts.
Toronto's Eric Hinske reacts after being called out on strikes during the first inning of Sunday's loss to the Marlins.
(Steve Mitchell/Associated Press)
Florida was more fortunate. Second baseman Dan Uggla rattled off three hits and cashed in the go-ahead run to help the Marlins tag Toronto ace Roy Halladay just his second defeat of the season.
Halladay (8-2) surrendered four runs and eight hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out seven Marlins and walked two.
Several jams
Florida rookie Josh Johnson (6-4) worked out of several jams to earn his sixth win of the year. He gave up just one run despite issuing six walks and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.
The Marlins bullpen shut out the Jays the rest of the way, with closer Joe Borowski pitching the ninth inning for his 11th save of the season.
The Blue Jays threatened right from the start, getting the first three batters on to load the bases. But Toronto came away empty-handed after third baseman Troy Glaus grounded into a double play and Eric Hinske later struck out to end the inning.
Johnson got into another jam in the second after allowing the first two batters to reach base.
Later in the inning, catcher Gregg Zaun reached on a fielder's choice to score Russ Adams and load the bases. But Johnson, a hard-throwing right-hander, ended the threat by striking out Vernon Wells and Glaus.
Florida catcher Miguel Olivo tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second by cashing in Jeremy Hermida on a sacrifice fly.
Marlins take lead
The Marlins took the lead in the third when an RBI single by Uggla brought Hanley Ramirez around to score.
Florida tacked on two more runs in the fifth with a two-out rally. After Halladay struck out the first two batters, Uggla tripled to right-centre field and Miguel Cabrera was intentionally walked.
Cody Ross and Hermida then each stroked run-scoring singles to make it 4-1.
The youthful Marlins have now won eight straight games, the longest streak for the franchise in almost two years.
The Jays have Monday off before beginning a three-game interleague series with the Atlanta Braves.
