• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Helms delivers walk-off single as Marlins top Nationals

Apr 20, 2008 - 3:41 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) - It was not a pretty game as both teams combined for seven errors, but coincidently, a defensive replacement came up with the game-winning hit.

Wes Helms hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Florida Marlins a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Austin Kearns hit a game-tying two-run single to right field with two outs and a full count in the ninth inning off Marlins closer Kevin Gregg (2-0), who committed his first blown save of the season.

Nationals reliever Saul Rivera (1-1) walked Dan Uggla to start the ninth and Uggla advanced to second on Jeremy Hermida's groundout. Rivera then intentionally walked Josh Willingham to face Wes Helms, who pinch ran for Mike Jacobs in the seventh.

"With the four at-bats Friday, (Helms) started getting better and better and then you make a defensive substitution and he gets a big base hit to win the ballgame," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Helms grounded an 0-1 pitch back up the middle and Uggla scored as center fielder Lastings Milledge's throw was off target.

"If his throw would have been on line, it would have been a really close play," Uggla said.

Jacobs and Jorge Cantu each had three hits for the Marlins, who have three walk-off victories already this season as Robert Andino and Jacobs hit walk-off homers in the first week.

"I don't want to get beat up at home plate," said Helms, in reference to a walk-off single as opposed to a homer. "I'll take my beating on the field because I can run from them."

With Washington trailing, 5-3, Cristian Guzman reached base in the ninth on an error by Hanley Ramirez to lead off the inning. Ryan Zimmerman then flew out and Nick Johnson was hit by a pitch. After both runners moved up on a passed ball, Gregg struck out Milledge before allowing the hit to Kearns.

The Marlins overcame an early 3-0 deficit. Uggla had an RBI double in the third and Jacobs started a three-run rally with a run-scoring single. Jacobs then extended the advantage to 5-3 in the seventh with an RBI double.

Shawn Hill made his 2008 debut after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm injury. He threw five innings, giving up four runs and striking out six.

"It was not a very good performance," Hill said. "Late innings, balls were up a little bit and I was falling behind. I've got to do a better job of maintaining the lead, so overall not a very good job."

Burke Badenhop, making his second career start, threw just three innings and surrendered three runs for the Marlins. The 25-year-old righthander allowed four hits and five walks with four strikeouts.

"I am a guy that should eat up innings and three innings is definitely not a lot of eating," Badenhop said.