Pete Crow-Armstrong hits inside-the-park homer to lead Cubs to 6-3 win over Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

MIAMI (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an infield home run Friday night and the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 6-3.

Ian Happ and Miguel Amaya also homered for the Cubs (64-65), who began a nine-game road series.

Crow-Armstrong’s home-to-home time is 14.08 seconds, the fastest in the Major Leagues since Byron Buxton ran 13.85 seconds on August 18, 2017, while playing for the Minnesota Twins.

Isaac Paredes’ run-scoring double against Marlins reliever Brett de Geus (0-2) in the eighth inning broke a 3-all tie. Amaya then hit a two-run drive off Kent Emanuel in the ninth inning.

Porter Hodge (2-1) worked 1 1/3 innings in relief for the win before Jorge López pitched the ninth inning for his fourth save.

The Marlins lost 46-82, their worst season in the NL, and thus ended with their 24th losing season in the franchise’s 32-year history.

Miami went after Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks after Kyle Stowers walked with the bases loaded to tie the score at 3-3 in the fifth inning.

Happ’s two-run homer capped a three-run third hit that gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead. He hit a slider off Marlins starter Max Meyer for his 23rd home run.

Earlier in the third period, Crow-Armstrong tied the game with a dash around the bases. His drive to the warning track passed right fielder Jesús Sánchez and caromed toward right-center, where center fielder Derek Hill picked up the ball and threw it to second baseman Otto López. Crow-Armstrong beat López’s relay throw with a head-first slide into the plate.

Jonah Bride’s RBI single in the third inning cut the lead to 3-2 for Miami.

Meyer completed six innings, allowing three runs and six hits. The right-handed pitcher walked two and struck out two.

Hendricks gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Miami shortstop Xavier Edwards left the game after the second inning due to lower back discomfort. Edwards singled in his at-bat to lead off the first inning and stole the second. He took his place in the second inning, but was replaced by Vidal Brujan when he was up again in the third inning.

ROSTER CHANGES

Before the game, the Cubs recalled infielder Luis Vazquez from Triple-A Iowa and designated infielder David Bote for assignment. They also claimed right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell from Arizona and sent him to Iowa.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (slant pitcher) threw a bullpen session on Friday.

Marlins: LHP Braxton Garrett (left forearm flexor injury) and LHP Ryan Weathers (left index finger injury) played their second bullpen sessions on Friday. LHP Josh Simpson (left ulnar neuritis) plays his second rehab game on Saturday for Triple-A Jacksonville.

NEXT

LHP Shota Imanaga (9-3, 3.11) will start for the Cubs in Game 2 of the series on Saturday, while RHP Valente Bellozo (2-1, 2.45) will start for the Marlins.

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