Wes Helms Delivers Big Single As Marlins Stay Hot, Beat Braves

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Wes Helms hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 11th inning, as the Florida Marlins edged the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Sun Life Stadium.

Helms ended with two hits, three RBI, and a run scored for the Marlins, who went 7-3 on a 10-game homestand.

Chris Volstad, who was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans prior to the game, lasted six frames in the start, allowing three runs on five hits. Jorge Sosa (2-2) pitched a scoreless two innings of relief to record the win.

Eric Hinske hit a solo homer for the Braves, who got an RBI apiece from Melky Cabrera, Chipper Jones, and Brian McCann. Jair Jurrjens gave up four runs on six hits in a seven-inning start.

Jesse Chavez (2-2) started on the mound for the Braves in the bottom of the 11th. Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla singled before Cody Ross was intentionally walked to load the bases. Helms followed with the game-winning hit to left.

Trailing 4-3, the Braves put a run on the board in the eighth to tie the game. Clay Hensley, who recorded the final two outs in the seventh, stayed on to pitch for Florida. Cabrera hit a two-out double to right and came around to score on pinch-hitter Jones' two-bagger to center.

The Braves drew first blood with a run in the first. Jason Heyward walked and Hinske singled with one out. McCann followed with an RBI single. Troy Glaus then walked to load the bases, but Volstad retired the next two batters to keep it a 1-0 game.

Florida went ahead with a four-run fourth. With one out, Ramirez singled and Uggla walked. Ross then hit an RBI single before Helms knocked in two runs with a triple. Mike Stanton was intentionally walked to put men on the corners for Brad Davis, whose run-scoring base hit made it 4-2.

Volstad retired 10 straight batters before giving up a one-out double to Glaus in the sixth. Alex Gonzalez was hit by a pitch and Brooks Conrad walked to load the bases. Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3. Jurrjens flied out to end the frame.

The Braves wasted a golden opportunity to score in the seventh. Jose Veras loaded the bases with one out before being replaced on the mound by Hensley. Glaus then grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The Braves lead the season series with the Marlins, 5-4...Atlanta pitcher Billy Wagner turned 39 on Sunday...Heyward went 2-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to nine games...Florida placed pitcher Jhan Marinez on the 15- day disabled list with a right elbow strain...Davis' two hits were the first of his career.