MIAMI (AP) — Derek Hill’s grand slam capped a five-run first inning and Marlins starter Valente Bellozo carried a shutout into the sixth as Miami held off a late Reds rally and beat Cincinnati 6-4 on Wednesday night, getting some payback after being pummeled twice to open the series.
Hill, claimed on waivers from San Francisco on Saturday, drove a fastball from Reds starter Andrew Abbott (9-9) 412 feet to center after Jonah Bride singled and Jesus Sanchez and Otto Lopez walked. It was the left fielder’s fourth homer of the season and first as a Marlin.
“The analytics team and the coaching staff gave us a really good game plan going up against a really tough pitcher,” said Hill, who also played for Texas earlier in the season. The Marlins plan to give him consistent playing time, something he has lacked since debuting in 2020.
“We’re getting put in unbelievable situations that they think we’re able to succeed in,” Hill said
His slam came after designated hitter Jake Burger opened the scoring with a 399-foot homer to center. Burger then hit a 422-foot shot to left in the fifth, for his 18th and 19th homers of the season. He has six in his last nine games. He joked that he needs to keep up with his buddy Josh Bell, who had homered twice earlier in the day for Arizona, where the Marlins shipped him last week.