Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Pinch-hitter Donnie Murphy hit a two-run homer off Huston Street in the bottom of the ninth, as the Florida Marlins edged the Colorado Rockies, 9-8, in the opener of a four-game series at Sun Life Stadium.
Jimenez Struggles, Marlins Edge Rockies On Walk-Off Homer
Mike Stanton went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer for the Marlins, who have won three in a row. Emilio Bonifacio knocked in two runs and scored twice for the victors.
Anibal Sanchez went six innings in the start, giving up four runs -- two earned -- on eight hits. Jhan Marinez (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in 1 1/3 frames of relief to pick up his first victory in the majors.
Jonathan Herrera hit a three-run homer for the Rockies, who have dropped four of five. Ian Stewart hit a solo homer and Jason Giambi had two RBI in defeat.
Ubaldo Jimenez, seeking a career-high 16th victory, lasted a season-low 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs -- four earned -- on six hits. The National League All-Star starter leads the majors with 15 wins this season.
After the Rockies took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth, Florida responded with three runs in the bottom half. Jorge Cantu singled and Cody Ross walked with one out. Stanton then blasted Jimenez's 3-2 fastball over the wall in left for a 6-4 lead. Matt Belisle took over for Jimenez and retired the first two batters he faced to limit the damage.
Cantu’s RBI single in the seventh made it a 7-4 game.
The Rockies used a four-run eighth to take the lead back. Clay Hensley started the inning on the mound for the Marlins and offered up a one-out, solo homer to Stewart. Clint Barmes and Seth Smith walked to put men on first and second with two outs. Marinez came in from the bullpen to make his second appearance in the big leagues, and Herrera greeted him with his first-career homer, over the wall in right for an 8-7 edge.
The Rockies scored twice in the top of the third. With two outs, Herrera reached on third baseman Cantu's throwing error. Carlos Gonzalez followed with a double to right to put men on second and third for Giambi, who cleared the bases with a single to right.
Multiple errors by Colorado in the home half allowed Florida to plate three runs. Stanton singled before Ronny Paulino hit a sharp grounder to second base. The ball went under the glove of Herrera and into right field. A sacrifice bunt put the runners on second and third.
Bonifacio followed with a two-run base hit up the middle. Later, Jimenez's errant pickoff throw allowed Bonifacio to advance to third, and Hanley Ramirez drove him in with a bunt single for a 3-2 lead. Cantu struck out to end the long inning.
The Rockies had a runner thrown out at home in the fifth. Smith led off with a double to right and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Gonzalez then hit a grounder to first baseman Gaby Sanchez, who threw home to get Smith out. Giambi flied out to end the frame.
Colorado plated two runs in the top of the sixth to go in front. Brad Hawpe singled and Barmes was hit by a pitch to put men on first and second with two outs. Jimenez helped his own cause with an RBI single down the right- field line, and Smith followed with a run-scoring base hit of his own to make it 4-3.
The Rockies took two of three from the Marlins at home from April 24-25...The Marlins were without outfielder Chris Coghlan (back)...Colorado went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight...The Marlins went 5-for-9 with RISP and left six men on...Murphy's homer was his first since July 3, 2008 when he was a member of the Athletics.
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