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Zack Greinke Pitches a Gem as Dodgers Beat Marlins 2-0 in Rubber Match

Zack Greinke threw a gem over eight scoreless innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Miami Marlins 2-0 in the rubber match on Sunday.

Zack Greinke threw a gem over eight scoreless innings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Miami Marlins 2-0 in the rubber match on Sunday.

It was Greinke's first victory since May 5, as the right-hander continues to show why he may be the true ace of the Dodgers staff as reigning Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw has struggled in 2015, while Greinke has been dominant, leading the Major Leagues with a 1.58 ERA.

For the 10th consecutive outing, Greinke did not get much run support as the Dodgers have been shut out in Greinke's last two starts and have only scored 12 runs total in his last nine outings.

"I think I saw him dancing on the inside when we scored a run," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly joked. "I'm just happy we were finally able to score some runs for him."

Greinke (6-2) made his 38th start for Los Angeles after a loss and is 22-6 following a Dodgers defeat. The former 2009 Cy Young Winner allowed four hits over 7.2 innings, without a runner ever reaching scoring position off of him as he extended his scoreless innings streak to 20.2.

"I didn't have many guys in scoring position, and they kept getting outs by hitting balls right at people," Greinke said. "It was a good game today. We played some really good defense."

Turning the tables on the Marlins from a night earlier, the Dodgers got on the board in the fifth inning thanks to a costly mistake by Miami. After a leadoff single by Jimmy Rollins, the veteran shortstop advanced to second on a balk by Marlins starter Jose Urena.

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Greinke sacrificed Rollins to third, but after a walk to Joc Pederson, Howie Kendrick appeared to have grounded into an inning ending double play. But, shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria's errant throw was off target to first, allowing Kendrick to reach base safely and Rollins to score on the play.

"Jimmy gets on, and we're able to balk him over and then Howie beats that double play out on an errant throw," Mattingly said of the play. "Any run in a game like this is big. That was a big run. Gonzo's double was a big run."

Adrian Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with an RBI double in the seventh inning that tacked on a much-needed insurance run and the Dodgers would take a 2-0 lead into the final frame.

"I made a little adjustment and I was able to get on top of a fastball and drive it," Gonzalez said of the double. "Team wins is most important, but I'm glad we could get this win for Zack."

Urena (1-4) pitched well for Miami, but the defensive mistake by the Marlins was his downfall as he allowed just one run on four hits in five innings before leaving for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth.

It was the Marlins second game without All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton who is expected to miss the next six weeks with a broken left hand, and the team's fifth loss on their current home stand.

For Los Angeles, the shutout victory was their 11th on the season as they win the series against Miami two games to one, and are now 4-3 on their current 10-game road trip.

Kenley Jansen survived a scare, surrendering a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth to Christian Yelich before striking out the next two batters and getting Derek Dietrich to pop out to the catcher to end the game, earning his 11th save.

Game Notes:
It was Josh Beckett day at Marlins Park as the former Marlins and Dodger pitcher threw out the ceremonial first pitch and was honored before the game for bringing a World Series title to the Marlins in 2003.

Los Angeles was 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base despite picking up the victory.

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