When Greg Maddux’s workday ended in the sixth inning, he walked off the mound and headed directly for the tunnel to the clubhouse, bypassing the San Diego Padres’ dugout.
There were no slaps on the back and no milestones for Maddux. He failed in his fourth bid to reach 350 victories Sunday, when he was outpitched by young Andrew Miller and lost to the Florida Marlins 10-3.
Maddux, 2-3, twice failed to hold a lead, and he allowed 11 hits and five runs, four earned, in 5 2/3 innings.
Maddux is 0-3 in four starts since April 13. He leads all active pitchers in victories and was trying to become the ninth member of the 350-win club.
Miller, 2-2, had his best performance since joining the Marlins in the offseason trade that sent Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. He allowed four hits and two runs in a season-high six innings, and he put Florida ahead to stay with a ground-out for his first major-league RBI.
Miller threw fewer pitches than the usually efficient Maddux — 88 to 94 — and reduced his ERA from 9.12 to 7.96.
Cardinals reliever Reyes demoted
Anthony Reyes was demoted to the minor leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday after sputtering in a relief role with a 5.27 ERA.
Reyes, 26 — once considered the team’s top pitching prospect — will be a starter for Class AAA Memphis. But manager Tony La Russa believes the infrequency of Reyes’ outings has more to do with his struggles than comfort level or a lack of enthusiasm for the bullpen life.
“He took to it fine; he just hasn’t pitched enough to where we’ve been able to keep him really sharp,” La Russa said.
Red Sox ruin Kazmir’s return
After being swept for the first time in franchise history by Tampa Bay last weekend, the Red Sox returned the favor Sunday, beating the Rays 7-3 and spoiling the return of Rays ace Scott Kazmir.
Kazmir had been out since straining his elbow in February. He was chased after allowing four runs in four innings.
Kevin Youkilis had four RBIs, and Jon Lester pitched six innings for Boston. Lester allowed a run and four hits with three walks.
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