MIAMI (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an inside-the-park 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.

“You never really have control over what happens after that, especially me. I’m a pretty quick thinker,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I’m just glad I got home safe.”

Isaac Paredes’ run-scoring double against Marlins reliever Brett de Geus (0-2) in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 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 Cubs’ relievers got the final 13 outs and limited the Marlins to one hit. López has allowed one run in nine appearances in August.

“Just a good win, the bullpen did a great job,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We got some big hits from the bottom of the lineup. It’s a great way to start the road trip.”

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 third, three-run homer that gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead. He hit a slider off Marlins starter Max Meyer over the center field wall 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.

“When I saw the ball shoot, I put my head down and started running,” Crow-Armstrong said. “At that point, the ball is already behind me.”

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

The 25-year-old Meyer completed six innings, allowing three runs and six hits. The right-handed pitcher walked two and struck out two. Miami manager Skip Schumaker credited Meyer, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, for the increased use of his changeup against Chicago.

“We want him to throw that more in general,” Schumaker said. “We think it can be a real weapon. I’m proud of him throwing it with confidence. It’s only going to get better. He needs something a little slower to get guys off his fastball and slider.”

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

“It was a grind today, honestly,” Hendricks said. “I’m just glad I stayed mentally focused. I grinded it out and kept the guys in the game.”

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.

Schumaker said Edwards felt discomfort after the stolen base and will undergo a scan Saturday.

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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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Associated Press