SAN DIEGO — Justin Ruggiano took a couple for the team on Sunday, and the center fielder also delivered a couple of shots of his own.

In Miami’s 14-2 rout of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Ruggiano earned an interesting distinction. He is just the eighth player since the early 1900s to get hit twice by pitches and also hit two home runs in the same game.

The last to do so is Ruggiano’s former Tampa Bay teammate, Jonny Gomes in 2010.

Ruggiano joins some exclusive company.

HIT BY PITCH TWICE & HOMER TWICE

Brian Downing 7/28/88
Jonny Gomes 6/12/10
Harmon Killebrew 5/2/59
Justin Ruggiano 5/5/13
Al Smith 6/21/61
Barry Bonds 5/21/91
Don Buford 5/31/71
Carlton Fisk 7/5/84

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — Marcell Ozuna’s first impression has certainly been a good one.

The 22-year-old right fielder has provided an immediate boost to the Marlins.

Since being called up from Double A Jacksonville on April 30, Ozuna has hit safely in his first six big league games.

He also enjoyed his first four-hit game, which came on Sunday at Philadelphia.

It was a special weekend for Ozuna because his father, sister and nephew traveled from their home in the Dominican Republic to Philadelphia to see the games.

“I’m proud of that,” Ozuna said. “When I was a kid, I was thinking I would be in the big leagues. I was thinking I was going to be like Manny Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz. My dad said, ‘Those guys are superstars. If you are going to be like them, you need to work hard all the time, and keep your head right every time.’ “

The longest hit streak to begin a career with the Marlins is eight games, set by Alejandro De Aza.

Ozuna’s 11 hits over his first six games are teh most ever by a Marlins rookie over that span. Ryan Jackson had nine in 1998. Mike Redmond and four others had eight.

Ozuna is playing right field because Giancarlo Stanton is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

“He’s come in here and he hasn’t been intimidated,” center fielder Justin Ruggiano said. “He’s having fun, and I don’t think he’s worried about what’s going to happen next. Every at-bat he’s giving a great at-bat. He’s doing a great job. He’s playing good defense. Good chemistry. He fits right in.”

Longest hit streaks to begin a career with the Marlins

Alejandro De Aza 8 (April 2-10, 2007)
Marcell Ozuna 6 (April 30-current)
Scott Pose 6 (April 5-11, 1993)
Kevin Millar 5 (April 11-May 24, 1999)
Ryan Jackson 5 (March 31-April 5, 1998)
Mark Kotsay 5 (July 11-July 16, 1997)

Marlins Rookies, Fewest Career Games Played at First Career 4-Hit Game – All-Time

Hanley Ramirez 4
Marcell Ozuna 6
Miguel Cabrera 11
Edgar Renteria 20
Cameron Maybin 26
Craig Counsell 28

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Skipworth was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday to fill in a few days for Austin Kearns, who has been placed on the Bereavement List.

Kearns is tending to a family matter, and by rule, will miss between three and seven games.

Skipworth offers catching depth.

Rob Brantly, the primary catcher, is being given Sunday off because of a cut to his right index finger. Brantly sliced his finger a few days ago, and he sat out a couple of games, but played on Friday.

Also on Sunday, utility infielder Nick Green cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans.

The Marlins also are resting Donovan Solano, who tweaked his left oblique and was scratched from the lineup on Saturday night.

Solano said he is still sore, but he was testing his side on Sunday. The Marlins are hopeful they can avoid a disabled list stint for Solano. The team is in a 40-man roster bind. In case of an emergency, Solano could play the field on Sunday.

If Solano does go on the DL, Green is a candidate to get called up. Another option would be Double-A Jacksonville second baseman Derek Dietrich. Both Green and Dietrich are not on the 40-man roster.

In other injury news, Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to resume his throwing program on Monday. He recently had a setback, and is not expected to be ready any time soon.

Nathan Eovaldi (right shoulder inflammation) is throwing off the mound. Because he is on the 60-day disabled list, he won’t be ready until mid-June, at the earliest.

Catcher Jeff Mathis (broken right collarbone) is getting a day off in his rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter. The veteran catcher started two games behind the plate before being used as a designated hitter.

Manager Mike Redmond on Sunday is celebrating his 42nd birthday.

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — Initially, the Marlins were planning on using an entirely right-handed hitting lineup against Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels.

But about an hour before Saturday night’s game those plans were changed.

Donovan Solano, initially slotted to lead off, was scratched due to tightness in his left side. That caused manager Mike Redmond to reshuffle his batting order.

The Marlins are starting rookie Jose Fernandez, who still is seeking his first big league win.

MARLINS

1) Valaika, 2B
2) Polanco, 3B
3) Ruggiano, CF
4) Diaz, LF
5) Ozuna, RF
6) Dobbs, 1B
7) Olivo, C
8) Hechavarria, SS
9) Fernandez, P

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — Juan Pierre reached a milestone on Thursday night. On Friday, the veteran left fielder will be looking to do his part in helping the Marlins snap a two-game slide.

In Thursday’s 7-2 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Pierre swiped third base in the first inning. It was career stolen base No. 600 for Pierre.

The 35-year-old is just the 14th player in MLB history to reach 600 stolen bases. He’s also on another exclusive list. He is one of 12 players ever to have at least 2,000 hits and 600 bases.

600 stolen bases; 2000 hits

1) Ricky Henderson 1,406, 3,055
2) Lou Brock 938, 3,023
3) Ty Cobb 892, 4,191
4) Tim Raines 808, 2,605
5) Eddie Collins 744, 3,314
6) Max Carey 738, 2,665
7) Joe Morgan 689, 2,517
8) Willie Wilson 668, 2,207
9) Bert Campaneris 649, 2,249
10) Honus Wagner 639, 2,970
11) Kenny Lofton 622, 2,428
12) Juan Pierre 600, 2,163

MARLINS lineup

1) Pierre, LF
2) Solano, 2B
3) Polanco, 3B
4) Dobbs, 1B
5) Ruggiano, CF
6) Ozuna, RF
7) Brantly, C
8) Hechavarria, SS
9) Nolasco, P

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — Henderson Alvarez’s road to recovery has stalled.

The right-hander, who had been facing hitters recently, has been shut down due to discomfort in his right shoulder. Alvarez opened the season on the disabled list with right shouler inflammation.

The Marlins were initially hopeful that Alvarez was close to pitching in rehab assignment games. Now, he is on no-throw status for a few days before he will be re-evaluated.

News of Alvarez’s injury comes on the day shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was reinstated from the disabled list.

In other injury-related news, catcher Jeff Mathis, who broke his right collarbone early in Spring Training, is beginning rehab assignment games with Class A Juptier.

– Joe Frisaro

PHILADELPHIA — The Marlins on Thursday reinstated shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria from the 15-day disabled list, and selected the contract of Matt Diaz.

Hechavarria returns to the lineup after being out with a bruised right elbow. Diaz was at Triple-A New Orleans, and the veteran will provided a right-handed bat off the bench.

To make roster room, infielder Nick Green was designated for assignment, and lefty Brad Hand was optioned to New Orleans.

Hechavarria returned to lineup on the first day he was eligible to come off the DL.

Diaz, a career outfielder, has been learning first base. He is an option to start at first base against left-handed pitching.

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria is eligible to come off the disabled list on Thursday, and chances are he will be reinstated.

The 24-year-old went on the DL on April 18 with a right elbow contusion. What the team is waiting for is to see how he performs on Wednesday night in a rehab assignment game for Class A Jupiter.

Barring a setback, he will be brought to Philadelphia, and the Marlins will designate Nick Green for assignment.

“It’s disappointing,” Green said. “Everybody wants to be in the big leagues and you got to try to do the best you can when you get a chance. That’s all I could do.”

Green has been playing well for the Marlins. In Monday’s 4-3 win over the Mets in 15 innings, he delivered the game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and the walk-off sacrifice fly in the 15th inning.

In Wednesday’s 7-6 loss to the Mets, Green added two doubles.

The Marlins also are expected to option left-hander Brad Hand to Triple-A New Orleans.

A candidate to have his contract selected is Matt Diaz, who is playing first base at New Orleans. If Diaz gets the nod, he offers a right-handed hitting first base alternative. He can also play left field.

Also on Wednesday, catcher Rob Brantly sustained a cut on his right index finger, which is why he didn’t start. Brantly should be ready in a day or two.

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — One more stolen base and Juan Pierre will join some elite company.

The 35-year-old is on the verge of becoming just the 14th player in MLB history to steal at least 600 bases.

Pierre has a chance to reach the milestone on Wednesday afternoon when the Marlins face the Mets at Marlins Park.

“I can’t believe it,” Pierre said of No. 600. “If you said I was to steal one base in the big leagues, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy.’ I never take it for granted. I’m grateful for every one of them.”

Pierre entered Wednesday with eight steals this season, which tops the National League. The speedster also is tied for the second most in Majors, trailing only Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury, who has 11.

When Pierre swiped No. 500, he was awarded the base. He is hopeful to get the bag for 600.

MLB All-Time stolen base leaders

1) Rickey Henderson 1,406
2) Lou Brock 938
3) Ty Cobb 892
4) Tim Raines 808
5) Vince Coleman 752
6) Eddie Collins 744
7) Max Carey 738
8) Joe Morgan 689
9) Willie Wilson 668
10) Bert Campaneris 649
11) Honus Wagner 639
12) Kenny Lofton 622
13) Otis Nixon 620
14) Juan Pierre 599

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — An MRI taken on Tuesday revealed Giancarlo Stanton has a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that likely will keep the Marlins’ slugger out for more than his 15-day disabled list stint.

The Marlins are not setting a time line for Stanton’s return, but best case scenario would be three to four weeks.

“Time-frame wise, we don’t know,” manager Mike Redmond said. “He’s not going to do anything for about three days, and then he will start moving around and see how it is.”

Stanton sustained the injury in the 10th inning in Monday’s 4-3 win over the Mets in a game that lasted 15 innings.

While batting, Stanton tapped a grounder in front of the plate. Sprinting all-out in a tie game at the time, the 23-year-old pulled up as he crossed first base. He reached for his hamstring and stumbled to the ground.

After the 5-hour, 31-minute game, the Marlins announced Stanton was heading to the disabled list.

– Joe Frisaro