Stanton hits league-leading 42nd home run

Miami: Giancarlo Stanton hit his 42nd homer of the season, tying a franchise record set by Gary Sheffield in 1996 and leading the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

“I really enjoyed watching (Sheffield) play as a kid — it’s good company to be in,” Stanton said. “It’s not something I will fully appreciate until the year is over. But it’s a cool thing to have under my belt, and I have time to get more.”

Stanton, who leads the majors in homers, also became the sixth-fastest player to reach 250 homers, dating to 1913. Stanton has hit nine homers in the past 10 games and 21 in the past 33.

“Big G (Stanton) is impressive,” said Marlins manager Don Mattingly.

The Marlins improved to 56 wins and 60 losses and swept the series from Colorado. It was Miami’s first three-game sweep since July 7-9 at the San Francisco Giants, and its first home sweep since beating the Philadelphia Phillies in May.

Colorado still has a four-game lead in the battle for one of two National League wild-card spots, but the Rockies have lost five of their past six Major League Baseball games.