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Marlins, Nationals square off in rubber match

Apr 20, 2008 - 2:32 PM Washington (5-13) at Florida (10-7) 1:10 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - Both the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals will be looking for better performances in the finale of their three-game series Sunday.

Despite making four errors in the field and squandering a two-run lead in the ninth inning, the Marlins escaped with a 6-5 victory over the Nationals on Saturday thanks to Wes Helms' walk-off hit.

After walks by Dan Uggla and Josh Willingham in the ninth, Helms smacked a grounder back up the middle and Uggla scored as center fielder Lastings Milledge's throw to home plate was off the mark.

"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.

The Nationals, who made three errors Saturday, overcame a 5-3 deficit in the top half of the frame. Austin Kearns hit a game-tying two-run single to right field with two outs and a full count off Marlins closer Kevin Gregg (2-0), who committed his first blown save of the season.

Washington will send lefthander Odalis Perez (0-3, 4.35 ERA) to the mound in this one. He allowed two runs and six hits in six innings while walking four and striking out three, taking the loss in Tuesday's 6-0 setback to the New York Mets.

He will be opposed by lefthander Scott Olsen (2-0, 3.05 ERA), who pitched seven scoreless innings and surrendered five hits while striking out three during a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.