Reds 3, Marlins 1: Ryan Ludwick lined a two-out, two-run single to cap the rally as visiting Cincinnati scored three times in the eighth inning to defeat Miami in the opener of a four-game series.

Todd Frazier tied the contest with a sacrifice fly in the eighth after a controversial overturned call and Brayan Pena recorded a pair of hits as the Reds improved to 3-10 since the All-Star break. Johnny Cueto (12-6) allowed one run and four hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings to win his fourth consecutive decision.

Giancarlo Stanton belted his second homer in two days and 25th of the season in the first inning for the Marlins, who have lost six straight to Cincinnati. Tom Koehler (7-8) permitted two unearned runs on five hits and did not walk a batter while striking out three over seven-plus innings.

Stanton’s homer stood until the Reds loaded the bases on two errors and Devin Mesoraco's single without making an out in the eighth. Bryan Morris fanned Kris Negron before Frazier flew out to right and Stanton threw out Zack Cozart at the plate, but catcher Jeff Mathis was ruled to have illegally blocked the plate during an umpire's review..

Miami manager Mike Redmond was ejected from the game for arguing the decision and Ludwick followed by serving a single up the middle for a 3-1 lead. Jonathan Broxton struck out Stanton with two on and two out in the eighth and Aroldis Chapman notched his 24th save in the ninth while extending his streak to 46 games with at least one strikeout.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Marlins acquired RHP Jarred Cosart, INF-OF Kike Hernandez and OF Austin Wates from Houston on Thursday for 2013 first-round pick 3B Colin Moran, OF Jake Marisnick and RHP Francis Martes. Cosart and Hernandez are expected to join Miami on Friday. … Reds RF Jay Bruce is on the bereavement list after the death of his grandfather, but is expected to return for Friday’s game. … Stanton recorded his eighth first-inning homer, which leads the National League.