SAN FRANCISCO -- An untimely mistake Sunday by Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford helped create the opportunity for A.J. Ellis to clobber his first home run of the season and lift the Miami Marlins to a 10-8, 11-inning victory and three-game series sweep over the San Francisco Giants.
"That goes with the tough season we've had," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
With the score tied, 7-7, Crawford, the National League's reigning Gold Glove Award-winning shortstop, overthrew first base after fielding J.T. Realmuto's grounder that opened the 11th inning. One out later, Ellis deposited an 0-2 pitch from George Kontos over the left-field wall. Two batters later, Giancarlo Stanton blasted his second homer of the game to make it a three-run cushion.

"It's definitely the way we talked about wanting to finish," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "We wanted to finish out and make sure we play up until the break. At the end of the day, we can check out for a few days and make sure we're checked back in on Friday."
The Giants pulled even with a three-run surge in the eighth that featured Miguel Gomez's first Major League hit. Singles by Hunter Pence, Brandon Belt and Crawford generated a run. Pinch-hitter Buster Posey grounded out, but backup catcher Nick Hundley, who homered in the fifth, singled home Belt. Up came Gomez, who smartly smacked Kyle Barraclough's 2-2 delivery into right field.

Miami had appeared to take control of matters with a four-run seventh that snapped a 3-3 tie. Justin Bour's two-run single, Realmuto's RBI single and JT Riddle's sacrifice fly accounted for the scoring.
Though Giants starter Johnny Cueto was not involved in the decision, he yielded six runs and six hits in six innings. His ERA climbed to 4.51. By comparison, he was 13-1 with a 2.47 ERA as the NL's starter for the All-Star Game at this juncture last year.
Asked about rumors of being traded to a contending team, Cueto said, "What I'm thinking is I want to stay here. But at the same time, if they decide they want to do that, that's their decision."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Stanton sniper: Stanton's first homer, to dead center and measured at 443 feet by Statcast™, gave the Marlins a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning. On the eve of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, Stanton's blast was his sixth longest of the year. It had the slowest exit velocity of any of his homers over 440 feet this season at 108.4 mph.

"Still, when he hits them, you know they're going to go," Mattingly said. "I think I enjoy laser liners, but I don't mind the homers. The ball he hit the other night here, a straight rocket, you don't see that too often. … Those balls he hits like that are impressive."
Nick of time: Hundley, in the lineup due to Posey's sore back, made his presence felt with a fifth-inning home run off Miami starter Jose Urena and his key single in the eighth. Entering Sunday, Hundley owned a .200 batting average this season at AT&T Park.

QUOTABLE
"You're always surprised if he makes an error. He's probably one of the best in the league, if not the best in the league." -- Mattingly, on Crawford's error
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
The Marlins unsuccessfully challenged the call on catcher Realmuto's throw to third base in the eighth. Brandon Belt, advancing after a wild pitch, was initially ruled safe, and it was determined the play stands. Belt later scored to give the Giants their sixth run of the game.

WHAT'S NEXT
Marlins: Miami opens the second half of its season Friday when the Dodgers visit town for a 7:05 p.m. ET game. Dan Straily takes the mound, looking to take a game from the National League West leaders.
Giants: San Francisco opens what promises to be an intriguing second half with a three-game series at San Diego. Will Cueto, who's scheduled to start Friday's 7:10 p.m. PT series opener, be shopped for a trade?
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