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Cantu's hit caps Marlins' rally past Diamondbacks

Jun 29, 2008 - 9:03 PM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Jorge Cantu delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning after Hanley Ramirez tied the game earlier in the frame with a solo homer to carry the Florida Marlins past the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, on Sunday.

Ramirez hit the first pitch he saw with one out over the wall in left field off Arizona closer Brandon Lyon (2-2). Jeremy Hermida followed with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

That set the stage for Cantu, who bounced a single through the left side of the drawn-in infield, giving Florida the win.

"We just never give up and everyone knows how to get on base," Cantu said. "I was just focusing on getting a single and that's all it took to get a run in. I'm comfortable in that spot and I've done that before."

The comeback for the Marlins spoiled a solid outing by Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren, who pitched seven innings, giving up one unearned run and striking out seven. He allowed five hits and two walks, throwing 68 of his 105 pitches for strikes.

"I was pretty tired, the humidity was tough to deal with being in a close game," Haren said. "I got in a few jams, but was able to get out of them. I was pretty gassed."

It marked the fifth time in Haren's last six starts that he has pitched at least seven innings.

"I've been throwing the ball a lot better and more the way of the kind of pitcher that I think I am," Haren said. "My arm feels good and my body feels great."

Marlins starter Scott Olsen retired the first eight batters before allowing a double to Haren in the third. Stephen Drew followed with a two-run homer to right field for his 11th of the season and give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead.

The Marlins cut the deficit to 2-1 in the sixth inning when Cody Ross doubled home Josh Willingham, who reached base on an error by third baseman Mark Reynolds.

Arizona regained its two-run edge when Conor Jackson led off the seventh with a double and scored when Chris Burke hit a line drive to left that a diving Willingham could not grab.

The Marlins pulled within 3-2 in the eighth inning after Tony Pena relieved Haren. Willingham drew a walk, advanced to third on a single by Ross and scored on a base hit by Robert Andino. Luis Gonzalez popped out to end the inning.

"We hung around and that's what our strength is," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "These guys just keep battling."

Olsen pitched seven innings allowing three runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked two.

The lefthander, who had a 3.13 ERA in the month of June, still has not won since May 6 - a span of 10 starts.

"You just don't worry about it," Olsen said. "Wins and losses are something to take when it's contract time. That's really not a concern at this moment."

Joe Nelson (1-0) picked up the win, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.