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Ramirez homers in 11th as Marlins edge Dodgers

Jul 11, 2008 - 6:53 AM By John Reger PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Hanley Ramirez had a career-high five hits, including a home run in the top of the 11th inning, to help the Florida Marlins defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-4, on Thursday.

Ramirez hit a first-pitch fastball from reliever Brian Falkenborg (1-2) over the right-center field wall with two outs to snap a 4-4 tie. Ramirez went 5-for-6 with three singles, a double and the decisive home run.

"It was a fastball middle and I was trying to hit it hard somewhere," Ramirez said. "I got a good pitch. When I first hit it, I wasn't sure, but then I saw fielder turn his back, and then I knew it was out."

The Marlins got a strong start from Josh Johnson, who returned after being sidelined over a year following arm surgery.

"I feel pretty good, it's been a long time coming," Johnson said. "I felt great out there, that's the main thing I wanted to feel out there. I didn't go very deep in the game, but that's OK."

Johnson, who had "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery last year, had not pitched in the majors since July 4, 2007 at Petco Park against San Diego. In this one, he allowed three runs and six hits while striking out six.

"It felt like I was starting over," Johnson said. "I wanted to look at it like it's my first start, being a rookie. It worked out pretty well."

The Marlins wasted little time getting to Dodgers starter Chan Ho Park. Ramirez led off the game with an infield single and scored two batters later on Jorge Cantu's base hit.

Cantu, who collected three hits, came home on Josh Willingham's double.

John Baker increased the lead to 3-0 in his fourth major league at-bat, collecting his first career hit with a homer in the second inning.

The Dodgers got to Johnson in the third, scoring three runs to tie the game as Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Russell Martin delivered consecutive RBI singles.

Johnson retired six of the next seven batters, but Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez wanted to keep the righthander's pitch count down and replaced him with reliever Ryan Tucker, who was greeted by Martin's game-tying home run in the sixth.

"The first outing in the bright lights, no minor league rehab and he did well," Gonzalez said of Johnson. "We didn't want to push him past that point."