After a miserable month of June

After a miserable month of June in which Florida went 3-22, the Marlins won nine of their past 10 games and said they weren't getting too intoxicated by the solid stretch.

They'll need to take that lesson to heart to shake off Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres, the NL West's last-place team.
Despite a strong start from Anibal Sanchez, the Marlins couldn't get to San Diego right-hander Tim Stauffer (6-6), who held them to four hits in six scoreless innings.

"We had a couple of opportunities," manager Jack McKeon said. "Their pitching shut us down. Give them credit."

In the bottom of the ninth, Gaby Sanchez singled and Mike Cameron drew a two-out walk, prompting the Padres to bring in closer Heath Bell. He threw a wild pitch that advanced the runners, but John Buck lined to right field to end the game.

Florida is now 15-10 under McKeon and 4-2 since the All-Star break.
Sanchez (6-3) struck out seven and allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He's allowed two earned runs or less in five of his past seven starts but hasn't won since June 10.

"I had to keep the score close," Sanchez said. "Just waited for the team to (score). That didn't happen today."
Despite Sanchez going deep into counts - he worked eight full counts and threw 119 pitches - the weak-hitting Padres only scored off him in the first.

Former Marlin Cameron Maybin hit an infield single and stole second before Ryan Ludwick worked a nine-pitch at-bat and hit a ground-rule double to center, scoring Maybin. Orlando Hudson then hit a pop fly that eluded Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison and allowed Ludwick to score.

Maybin, traded to San Diego last November for Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb, went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases in his return to South Florida. Batting third in the Padres' lineup, Maybin singled in a run in the ninth inning to raise his team-high average to .263.