Jesus Sanchez, Edward Cabrera lead Miami Marlins to shutout win over Oakland Athletics

Jesus Sanchez was in the midst of a hot streak at the plate when he landed on the injured list for a right hamstring strain. Upon his return following two-and-a-half weeks away from the club, the Miami Marlins’ outfielder wanted to find a way to keep that momentum going.

He did just that on Friday.

Sanchez had three hits, including a two-run home run, and made a key throw from right field to throw out a runner in the Marlins’ 4-0 win over the Oakland Athletics at loanDepot park to begin a three-game series.

The Marlins improve to 30-28 on the season and have now recorded four shutouts this season. The Athletics fall to 12-47.

Sanchez opened scoring when he swung at the first pitch he saw from Oakland right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami — a near middle-middle 98.9 mph four-seam fastball — and sent it a projected 371 feet to left field into the Marlins’ bullpen. It was Sanchez’s fourth home run of the season and gave Miami a 2-0 lead after Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-out single one at-bat earlier.

Sanchez also hit singles in the fourth and eighth innings for his second three-hit game of the season (also May 3 against the Atlanta Braves) and now has hits in three of four games since his return from injury.

But perhaps his most impressive play came in the top of the sixth inning when he threw out the Athletics’ Estuery Ruiz, who tried to reach third base on an infield single and throwing error. Sanchez fired a throw to third base that clocked in at 95.2 mph, according to Statcast, that was perfectly placed for third baseman Jean Segura to apply the tag.

The Marlins added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth on a Jorge Soler RBI double and De La Cruz RBI single.

It was all more than enough to back a stellar outing from right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera, who struck out 10 while allowing just four hits and a walk over six shutout innings.

The 25-year-old righty made it through six innings for just the third time this season. Friday was the first time this season Cabrera held an opponent scoreless — he had given up at least two runs in each of his first 11 starts.

JT Chargois, Andrew Nardi and Tanner Scott followed with three scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.

Matt Barnes to injured list

The Marlins on Friday placed right-handed relief pitcher Matt Barnes on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement.

Barnes, who Miami acquired this offseason in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier, said he sustained the injury when he slipped on the mound May 21 against the San Francisco Giants.

“Over the last eight to 10 days, it has kind of fluctuated and bothered me,” Barnes said. “We’ve got a long season ahead of us, so I kind of sat down with everybody and we came to the conclusion to kind of get it right and completely healthy and fixed now, this was probably the most beneficial route.”

In 24 games this season, Barnes has pitched to a 5.48 ERA with 20 strikeouts against 10 walks over 21 1/3 innings.

The Marlins recalled right-handed pitcher George Soriano to take Barnes’ spot in the bullpen.

More injury updates

▪ Right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session early next week.

▪ Right-handed pitcher Tommy Nance is scheduled to resume a throwing program next week.

▪ Left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers will make his second rehab assignment start on Sunday with Triple A Jacksonville and is expected to pitch five innings.

▪ Left-handed relief pitcher A.J. Puk is scheduled to pitch back-to-back days this weekend with Double A Pensacola. If he comes out of that well, he will most likely return to the active roster for the Marlins’ series against the Kansas City Royals to close this nine-game homestand.