Bour provides spark in first career start at first

MIAMI -- Production from first base has been limited of late for the Marlins. Regular starter Garrett Jones has posted a .129 average with 11 strikeouts in his last 10 games, and since the start of August, the veteran has hit just .174.

So manager Mike Redmond gave Jones a mental day off and penciled rookie Justin Bour into the lineup for Friday's opener against the Braves. And Bour, who was making his first Major League start at first base, provided the sought-after spark with a 2-for-5 night in the Marlins' 11-3 win. The slugger drove in a run and scored one as well.

The RBI double he hit in the third inning came on the first pitch of his second at-bat against Braves starter Aaron Harang. It was a long shot that bounced off the wall in right-center field, at a point where the ballpark measures approximately 390 feet.

"His at-bats were great," Redmond said. "He's got some power. He crushed that ball to center and put together some big at-bats. It was good. It's nice to see."

Even though Bour struck out twice, he saw 19 total pitches in his five at-bats. The multihit game was the third he'd recorded in four career starts (he was a designated hitter in his first three).

"I think everyone really hit the ball well today, but it was great to be part of it and contribute to a win," Bour said.