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Bard, Padres rally past Marlins

May 6, 2007 - 4:07 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- One day after breaking down, Josh Bard and the San Diego Padres showed their resolve.

Bard had two hits and drove home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning to lead the Padres to a 7-6 triumph over the Florida Marlins on Saturday.

The victory came one day after San Diego squandered a late lead en route to Friday's 5-4 loss.

But after falling behind by three runs in the seventh inning Saturday, the Padres rallied to force extra innings before finally winning in the 12th, recording their third victory in their last four games.

"I don't know whether these types of games are going to become typical Padre baseball or what," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "We keep it exciting, that's for sure."

The Padres snapped the 6-6 tie against Marlins righthander Lee Gardner (0-2). Brian Giles lined a one-out single and advanced to third when Adrian Gonzalez followed with a base hit.

That set the stage for Bard, who lined Gardner's 1-1 offering into right field to plate Giles with the go-ahead run.

"He's throwing sinkers and sliders, so I'm just trying to stay on top of the ball and go the other way," Bard said. "I was grateful to get a pitch up and be able to get it over (second baseman Dan) Uggla."

Khalil Greene followed with a single to load the bases, but the Padres missed an opportunity for insurance runs when Mike Cameron lined out and Geoff Blum grounded out.

"When the bullpen does that great a job and keeps us in the game, somebody has to step up. These are young guys and they'll learn that sometimes you just have to step on the brakes and take what they give you," Bard said. "That has to be the mindset."

Rookie lefthander Justin Hampson (1-1) worked a scoreless 11th to record his second career win and Trevor Hoffman pitched around a one-out double in the 12th for his seventh save.

"Hampson stayed within himself and did a great job, but everybody in the bullpen contributed," Black said. "It was a great Padre win right down the line."

Giles had three hits and Cameron added a pair for the Padres, who snapped a three-game road skid.

San Diego forged a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning on Kevin Kouzmanoff's sacrifice fly. But Florida reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame against righthander Cla Meredith, who entered with a 1.17 ERA over his first 13 appearances this season.

Josh Willingham ripped an RBI single to make it 4-3, and Mike Jacobs followed with a run-scoring base hit to double to advantage. The Marlins completed the three-run outburst when Alfredo Amezaga perfectly executed a squeeze play, bunting the ball just to the left of Meredith to plate Willingham and push the lead to 6-3.

"We had them. We had the game where we wanted it in the ninth inning but it just didn't work out," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We come right back tomorrow afternoon and play another."

The Padres got back one run in the eighth on Bard's RBI single and tied the game in thrilling fashion in the ninth against Marlins closer Henry Owens.

Cameron led off with a hit and advanced to third on a one-out single by Jose Cruz Jr. That brought up pinch hitter Oscar Robles, who blooped a single to center field to drive home Cameron.

The Padres tied the game on the play as Amezaga's throw from center field bounced past third baseman Miguel Cabrera, allowing Cruz to score.

"Those things are going to happen," Fredi Gonzalez said. "Every loss is tough, and some more than others, but it's part of baseball and you move on."

After striking out Marcus Giles, Owens was relieved by lefthander Taylor Tankersley, who induced Brian Giles to ground out to end the threat.

"I didn't make enough pitches to get the job done tonight," Owens said. "Some of those balls found holes, but that's no excuse. You have to go out there and get the job done."

The Marlins wasted a solid outing from starter Sergio Mitre, who was activated from the disabled list prior to the game and worked six effective innings. The righthander allowed three runs - one earned - and four hits with one walk and three strikeouts, throwing 56-of-88 pitches for strikes.

San Diego starter David Wells struggled for the third consecutive outing, allowing three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 frames. The 43-year-old lefthander, who walked three and struck out one, has a 7.04 ERA over his last three starts.