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Tuesday, Jun. 20 7:05pm ET
Gonzalez triples year's HR production | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
MIAMI (AP) -- A few weeks ago, a slumping Alex Gonzalez drew a media crowd after being benched and nearly demoted. On Tuesday night, he got a standing ovation after his second two-run homer of the game secured the Florida Marlins' 8-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Ryan Dempster (8-4) allowed three hits and one run in seven innings to win his seventh game in his last 10 starts, but all he wanted to talk about was his teammate's heroics. "He can steal all the thunder from me he wants," Dempster said of Gonzalez. "After all the work and all the pain he's endured he can steal it. He deserves it." Dempster, who struck out three and walked six, gave up only Geoff Jenkins' 12th homer in the sixth inning. It was Jenkins' first homer since May 3. The Marlins jumped on Milwaukee starter Steve Woodard (1-6) for three runs in the first inning. Luis Castillo led off with a single and advanced to third on Mark Kotsay's single. Both scored ahead of Cliff Floyd, who hit his 13th homer of the season. "I've run out of things to say, it's been difficult," Brewers manager Davey Lopes said of Woodard's continued struggles. "I could see where he would be thinking, `Here we go again.' I don't want him to think that." Castillo, who was 3-for-5 with two runs scored, singled, stole second and scored again in the second inning on Kotsay's two-out single for a 4-0 lead. Kotsay was 3-for-5. Gonzalez, who entered the game batting .167 with one homer, hit two-run homers in the third and eighth innings, the first multihomer game of his career. "Inside my body I was emotional," Gonzalez said of the standing ovation. "It's been a long time I don't see that. The fans have been waiting for me to wake up from a difficult slump." Woodard, making his second start since being sent to the bullpen, allowed six runs on nine hits in four innings. "I'll sit down and talk to my coaches," Lopes said of Woodard's diminishing chances of starting Sunday. "We'll make a decision at the appropriate time. This was not a good outing, not what we were looking for from him." Luis Lopez added an RBI single in the ninth off reliever Joe Strong. "I'm glad he did it here and not in Calgary," Marlins manager John Boles said of Gonzalez's near demotion. "I'm glad I was here in person to see it." Gonzalez showed signs of breaking out of his season-long slump last week with two doubles, a triple and a career-high five RBI against the Phillies. "He's got all kinds of talent," Boles said. "You saw it, defensively and offensively. I guess we should keep him for a while." Game notesAfter drawing 7,612 Monday, the Marlins had 7,743 fans Tuesday. ... Three of the NL's league leaders in games played started Tuesday. Milwaukee's Ron Belliard and Jeromy Burnitz, and the Marlins' Preston Wilson have played in all of their teams' games this season. ... Castillo stole his 30th base in the second inning, tying Colorado's Tom Goodwin for the major league lead. It was his 116th career steal, eclipsing the franchise mark of 115 set by Chuck Carr. ... Prior to Tuesday's game, Woodard was 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA against the Marlins in six appearances. ... Four of Floyd's 13 homers have come in the first inning. ... Milwaukee's Charlie Hayes struck out looking in the fourth, and after arguing from the dugout, was ejected by home plate umpire Tim Timmons. The ball appeared to be outside. Tyler Houston replaced Hayes, in an 0-for-20 slump, at first base. "I've never seen a guy thrown out without cursing the umpire," Lopes said. "All he asked him was to check the tape." ... Dempster has a 2.27 ERA in his last five starts. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Milwaukee Clubhouse Florida Clubhouse RECAPS Oakland 8 Baltimore 5
Florida 8
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