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STL@MIA: Kelly legs out an infield RBI single in 10th

Joe Kelly was an unlikely hero when the Cardinals beat the Marlins in the series opener on Monday night. Kelly, a pitcher, knocked in an insurance run with a pinch-hit infield single in St. Louis' 8-7 win in 10 innings.

On Wednesday, Kelly will try to beat the Marlins again -- this time from the mound. The right-hander will get the start for the Cardinals in the series finale at Marlins Park.

"It would be pretty much awesome," Kelly said of trying to have a hand in two wins in three games.

Kelly, 24, has been solid for St. Louis in his first three big league starts. He earned his first win in his last outing against the Royals, when he allowed three runs over seven innings. Kelly (1-0, 3.52 ERA) was the beneficiary of some solid run support as the Cardinals won the game, 11-4.

"I didn't try to look at the score," Kelly said afterward. "I didn't try to pitch to the score. I tried to go out there and do what I usually do. But it's always nice to have that much run support."

The Marlins, who continued their freefall in June with another loss on Tuesday, will counter with right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez is 0-3 with an 8.06 ERA in four starts this month, and he is coming off his shortest outing of the season against Toronto. Sanchez (3-6, 3.94 ERA) lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits.

"I know the situation right now and I know where the team is right now," Sanchez said after the loss. "I just want to do the best I can do all the time, but today especially, because I wanted to help the team dig out of the hole we are in now.

"Like they say, tomorrow is another day. I know the team is going to work for it and we're going to start hitting, start keeping the games close like the beginning of the year and we're going to turn it around. Some point we're going to turn it around. Hopefully soon."

The Marlins have lost three of four since Sanchez's last start, and they are just 5-18 in June.

Cardinals: Furcal stays hot
• Shortstop Rafael Furcal had a slow start to the month, but he's heating up at the right time for the Cardinals.

Furcal is batting .321 with a double, two RBIs and seven walks in his last seven games after hitting just .134 (9-for-67) with three walks through the first 19 days of June. The Cardinals are 6-1 in that span.

"I don't want to put pressure on him to say the offense only goes when he goes," said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, "but when he gets things going, it seems like they keep coming."

Furcal is hitting .287 with five home runs and 31 RBIs on the season.

Marlins: Bonifacio cleared to hit, play catch
• Center fielder Emilio Bonifacio was examined and cleared by a team physician on Tuesday to start hitting and playing catch. Bonifacio has been on the disabled list since May 20 after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.

The Marlins hope to have the speedy Bonifacio back in the lineup after the All-Star break.

"I don't want to be rushed back," Bonifacio said. "I'm feeling great."

• Greg Dobbs started at first base for the third consecutive game on Tuesday. Regular first baseman Gaby Sanchez is hitting just .194 this season.

Worth noting
• Sanchez is 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals.

• Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina hit a three-run home run in the first inning on Tuesday, his third straight game with a homer. Molina is hitting .317 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs on the season.

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