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.