There’s Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak.
There’s Cy Young’s 511 wins.
There’s Barry Bonds’ 762 home runs.
But when it comes to baseball records many feel will never be broken, Marlins manager Don Mattingly is convinced the one the Marlins and Rockies set Monday will stand forever.
Solo homers accounted for all the scoring in Colorado’s 5-3 victory.
The two teams set the major league record for most runs scored in a game — eight — involving nothing but solo shots. The old mark was five.
“I told [pitching coach Juan Nieves] today, it’ll never happen again — ever,” Mattingly said. “It won’t be broken, I can say that. I’d say DiMaggio’s [record] will go down before eight solos.”
The eight home runs were the most ever hit in a game at Marlins Park, breaking the old mark of seven. But eight home runs — all with the bases empty — was a mathematical improbability to the extreme.
The Marlins’ Marcell Ozuna and Rockies’ Mark Reynolds connected on two homers each. Giancarlo Stanton, Trevor Story, Nick Hundley and Charlie Blackmon accounted for the other four.
“Unbelievable,” Ozuna said. “Eight home runs. No one on base, solo.”
It wasn’t like there weren’t any base runners. The Marlins went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position while the Rockies were 1 for 7 in those situations, even though that particular hit didn’t drive in a run.
It was just that the big hits all came with no runners on base.
“Every run tonight, right? Eight solos?” Mattingly said afterward. “That was different for sure, and obviously they got the better of us on that.”
CLEMENS SCHEDULED TO START
Paul Clemens surrendered three of the home runs — all in the second inning — in what was his first major league start since 2014.
Mattingly said “right now,” Clemens will make his next scheduled start for the Marlins. But that could always change.
By rule, the Marlins must wait 10 days before they can recall Justin Nicolino, who was optioned Sunday in order for Clemens to take his spot in the rotation. Nicolino turned in a strong performance on Monday for Triple A New Orleans, allowing a run on four hits over seven innings.
TRADE TALKS
The Marlins have had preliminary discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays about acquiring starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
But the Marlins probably don’t have the prospects it would take to obtain Odorizzi (3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 15 starts this season). If the Rays are determined to trade Odorizzi, they’ll likely be able to find better returns with other teams.
For that matter, the Marlins will have a tough time dealing for any starting pitcher before the Aug. 1 trade deadline based on the shortage of prospects in their farm system.
DUNN DEAL
Mike Dunn helped the Marlins escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh on Monday, an indication he could be returning to form.
Dunn, who entered with one out, struck out Story and induced an inning-ending ground ball out of Carlos Gonzalez. Dunn’s velocity readings were also an improvement from what they’ve been since he came off the disabled list.
“My arm’s in better shape,” said Dunn, who struggled initially after returning from the DL. “My stuff’s a little bit sharper, a little bit cleaner. I’m not thinking about my arm anymore. It’s finally to the point of normal.”
▪ Marlins reliever Bryan Morris, who underwent surgery for a herniated disc, remains optimistic that he can pitch again before the end of the season.
“September is the goal,” said Morris, adding that he expects to begin picking up a ball around Aug. 1.
Morris said surgeons told him the procedure went well.
“My nerve was pancaked,” Morris said.
COMING UP
▪ Wednesday: Marlins LHP Adam Conley (3-4, 3.94) vs. Atlanta Braves RHP John Gant (1-1, 4.37), 12:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
▪ Thursday: Marlins LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-2, 5.22) vs. Chicago Cubs LHP Jon Lester (9-3, 2.06), 7:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
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