Marlins liking the road

The Chicago Cubs out-homered the Florida Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, but it was Jeremy Hermida's ninth inning solo shot that propelled the visitors to a 3-2 victory. The loss, just the 13th of the season for the Cubs at home, brings the Milwaukee Brewers within a half-game of first place in the N.L. Central.

Chicago, dealt with the unavailability of Kerry Wood due to a blister and Carlos Marmol having thrown 38 pitches the night before, used two relievers outside of their customary roles. In his Major League debut rookie Jeff Samardzija allowed one run in two innings giving up the lead. Bob Howry pitched the ninth, serving up Hermida's home run.

The Marlins' win brings Florida within one of making it a .500 record on the road this season. Only three other National League teams have accomplished that feat thus far: Milwaukee, St. Louis and Philadelphia. In the American League only the Boston Red Sox (.500) and the Los Angeles Angels have played even or better baseball on the road. The Angels' 31-18 mark is better than their 31-21 home mark, making them the only team in MLB with better numbers away from home and a winning record in both columns.