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Fernandez outduels Cain, hits 2nd career homer in return from Tommy John surgery

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

Jose Fernandez wasn't particularly sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery, but he made up for it with one mighty swing of the bat.

The Miami Marlins righty allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out six over six innings of work, but wowed the home crowd with his second career homer off San Francisco Giants starter Matt Cain in the fifth inning.

"My abuela (grandmother) didn't tell me to have a good start like I was expecting. She told me, 'Please hit a home run today," Fernandez revealed postgame.

Fernandez, who entered with a 12-0 record and microscopic 1.09 ERA in 20 career starts at Marlins Park, allowed three earned runs in his home ballpark for the first time in his career, but touched 99 mph on the radar gun on multiple occasions.

Fernandez struggled with his fastball command at times, but was able to rely on his offspeed pitches to get the job done.

He departed his first start since May 9 of last year in the seventh with a 5-3 lead, and earned his first win of the campaign in the eventual 5-4 Marlins' victory.

Cain, who was also making his season debut after being slowed by a strained flexor tendon, fired five innings of five-run ball while walking four and striking out a pair.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)

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