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Marlins edge Cardinals

May 5, 2011 - 6:43 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Mike Stanton hit a two-run homer that was the deciding factor in Florida's 8-7 win over St. Louis in the third installment of a four-game series.

Michael Dunn (2-1) earned the win with two perfect inning of relief for the Marlins, who have won three of their last four.

Eduardo Sanchez (1-1) took the loss as he allowed two runs in one-third of an inning of work to give the Cardinals their third loss in four games after a four-game win streak.

"This one is going to be a hard one to swallow," Cards manager Tony La Russa said. "We had a couple tough breaks go against us to make for a disappointing loss."

Sanchez started the ninth for the Cards and walked Hanley Ramirez before allowing a two-run shot to Stanton that give Florida the 8-6 lead.

Leo Nunez then entered in the ninth for Florida and allowed a one-out, pinch- hit homer to Jon Jay before walking Albert Pujols. He got out of it by inducing a double play from Matt Holliday to end the game for his 11th save of the season.

The Marlins jumped out to an early lead in the first after Emilio Bonifacio tripled and came home on a Ramirez single. Ramirez then stole second and advanced to third on Yadier Molina's throwing error. Gaby Sanchez followed with a dribbler in front of Cardinals' pitcher Chris Carpenter, who botched the throw home to allow Ramirez to score for a 2-0 advantage.

St. Louis tied the game in their half of the first on a Bonifacio fielding error that allowed Pujols and Holliday to cross the plate after they hit back- to-back singles. Bonifacio dropped a Lance Berkman fly ball near the left field stands and leaned against the railing for a moment before realizing the ball was in play, but his throw home was too late.

Florida loaded the bases in the third on singles by Chris Coghlan and Bonifacio, and a walk by Ramirez. Gaby Sanchez then walked to bring in Coghlan, and Stanton followed with a grounder to third. Allen Craig got the force at home, but Yadier Molina sailed the throw over first base to allow Ramirez and Sanchez to come home and Stanton to reach third. Two batters later, Omar Infante singled to make the score 6-2.

The Cardinals answered back again in their half of the inning with two runs on an RBI single by Holliday and a sacrifice fly by Berkman.

Colby Rasmus walked in the sixth and moved to third on a Molina single before being knocked in by a Daniel Descalso groundout. Two batters later, Ryan Theriot hit an RBI single to right field that tied the game at six and forced starter Javier Vazquez off the mound.

Brian Sanchez entered in relief and walked Craig to load the bases with two outs, but Pujols grounded out to short to end the inning and keep the game even.

Vazquez and Carpenter both allowed six runs and didn't last further than the sixth inning.

"I tried to make good pitches and give our team a chance," Vazquez said. "I'll have to shake it off and try to get people out."

Game Notes

Vazquez allowed eight hits, two walks, and four earned runs while Carpenter allowed 10 hits, three walks, and four earned runs...Bonifacio extended his hit streak to seven games...St. Louis had four errors in the game.