Willingham’s homer wins it for Florida in 10 innings

MIAMI - Welcome back Josh Willingham is what most of the Marlins will be saying after Monday night’s game. Willingham went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI including the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the host Florida Marlins a 6-5 win over Washington and move the Marlins to within half a game of the first-place idle Phillies.

Hanley Ramirez added his 19th homer of the season earlier in the game that went back and forth throughout.

The Marlins jumped out to an early 1-0 lead only to see Washington come back and tie the game at 1.  Florida would regain the lead on a two-run homer by Willingham to make it 3-1, but Washington got two home runs (Dimitri Young and Elijah Dukes) to give the Nationals their first lead at 4-3.

Matt Treanor would tie the game with a sacrifice fly only to see Washington rally for a 5-4 lead only to have the game tied in the bottom of the ninth on Ramirez’s homer.

Keving Gregg pitched one inning allowing one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Ryan Tucker started for the Marlins and pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs, while striking out

The Marlins will look to either inch closer to regaining the top spot of the NL East as they will play host to Washington in game two of the series on Tuesday night when Mark Hendrickson takes the hill for Florida and will be opposed by Collin Balester.

Marlins win in walk-off fashion

MIAMI - Jorge Cantu hit a game-winning, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Florida Marlins completed a two-run rally to defeat the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 in front of 11,327 fans on Sunday afternoon at Dolphin Stadium.

Cantu’s single scored Jeremy Hermida, who had doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Hermida’s double followed a game-tying home run by Hanley Ramirez off Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon.

Joe Nelson (1-0) gave up one hit in the ninth inning to earn his first win of the season. Scott Olsen pitched seven strong innings allowing three runs (all earned) and striking out four before giving way to Reynel Pinto to open the eighth inning.

It appeared that the Diamondbacks would cruise to victory as starter Dan Haren was pitching lights out. Haren finished with seven innings pitched, allowing one hit, one unearned run, walking two and striking out seven.

Ramirez’s home run was his 18th of the season and the victory move the Marlins one game behind first-place Philadelphia at the midway point of the season.

The Marlins return to action as they play host to the Washington Nationals on Monday night at 7:10 p.m. when Ryan Tucker toes the rubber for Florida and he will be countered by TIm Redding

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