Marlins' bats show life, but come up short

BOSTON -- That the Marlins' offense struggles in the absence of injured outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is no secret.

In Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox, Miami showed some life by collecting 10 hits in the offense-friendly confines of Fenway Park -- doubling Boston's total of five. Ultimately, however, the group's inability to capitalize at the right junctures led to few runs.

In the fourth, Ichiro Suzuki loaded the bases by floating a one-out single into shallow center, snapping his career-worst 0-for-29 skid in the process. The hit gave the Marlins five consecutive singles off Red Sox starter Rick Porcello in the inning and left them in prime position to close the gap.

Video: MIA@BOS: Realmuto puts Marlins on board with a single

But both Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich grounded out to leave the bases loaded, and Miami came away trailing by two runs. Even so, consider manager Dan Jennings stressed that his offense, limited to four or fewer runs in 15 of the last 19 games, has begun creating opportunities for itself -- the Marlins went 3-for-7 Wednesday with runners in scoring position.

With the defeat, the Marlins fell to 26-15 when being out-hit by the opposing team this season.

"I was very pleased with the offense, the way they battled," Jennings said. "Ten base hits, usually 10 is enough to win. We just have to do a little better job with runners out there in scoring position. That's going to come. That'll grow."

Jennings also liked what he saw out of Michael Morse, who snapped a 27-game homerless stretch dating back to April 18 when he blasted an opposite-field solo shot to right in the eighth inning. He also added a single and scored a run in the fourth.

Morse, a career .277 hitter with at least 13 homers in each of the past five seasons, has spent a chunk of this year sidelined with a back injury.

"Timing-wise, essentially he's in the early part of his season getting his timing back," Jennings said. "The barrel's starting to arrive on time now. We know what he can do when he wins the battle to the spot, and that was good to see him do that tonight. We need that power threat in the middle of this order, it's huge."