Sun Apr 27 19:22:57 2008

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Helms wins it for Marlins with homer in 10th

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Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Wes Helms had three hits, including a solo home run in the 10th inning as the Florida Marlins defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-2, in the finale of a three-game series at Miller Park.

With the game tied at 2-2 after nine innings, Seth McClung (1-1) came on for the top half of the 10th in place of Eric Gagne and served up an 0-2 fastball that Helms hammered over the left field wall to put the Marlins ahead 3-2.

"He's a good player and he gets some big hits for us," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said about Helms. "Luckily he hit the ball out of the ballpark. If not, we still might be playing."

Kevin Gregg came on for the bottom of the 10th and, after striking out Prince Fielder, allowed a single to Corey Hart, who stole second with Jason Kendall at the dish. Kendall then grounded out, with Hart advancing to third with two down. Mike Rivera then worked a walk, but Gregg settled down to strike out Craig Counsell to end the game, earning his fourth save of the season.

"We hit the ball hard," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "There were probably four instances were we hit it right on the nose. That probably could have changed the complexion of the game."

Helms also added an RBI single, while Hanley Ramirez and Josh Willingham chipped in with two hits apiece, for the Marlins, who won two of three games in the series. Florida has won three of its last five games.

Ricky Nolasco started and turned in a solid outing for Florida. The right- hander gave up one run on two hits over five frames, while striking out two and walking four.

Bill Hall had a solo homer and Hart drove in a run for Milwaukee, which has dropped three of its last four.

Manny Parra went 5 1/3 innings in a starting role for the Brewers, surrendering two runs on six hits, while fanning three and walking three.

With the Marlins clinging to a 2-1 lead through six innings, Florida squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the seventh when it loaded the bases with nobody out. Mitch Stetter was brought in from the bullpen for a struggling Derrick Turnbow and got out of the jam. The lefty retired Jeremy Hermida and Willingham on strikes, then got Jorge Cantu to pop out to first.

Hall's one-out homer in the home half of the seventh, a solo shot to left tied the contest at 2-2.

Each team threatened in the eighth, but were unable plate the go-ahead run.

Counsell led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk and reached second when Hall dropped a sacrifice bunt. Rickie Weeks then drew a free pass, but Matt Lindstrom (1-0) got Tony Gwynn Jr. to fly out to left and fanned Ryan Braun to force the game into extra innings.

Milwaukee got on the board in the first without the benefit of a hit. Weeks led off the frame with a walk and Gwynn was hit by a pitch. One out later Fielder walked to load the bases and Hart followed by lofting a sacrifice fly to left to plate a run.

Florida tried getting something going in the fifth. Ramirez roped a two-out double and Dan Uggla walked. However, with Hermida at the plate, Ramirez was caught stealing to end the inning.

Both teams got well-pitched games through the first five frames, but Florida broke through for a pair in the sixth. Willingham drew a one-out walk and came around to tie the game when Cantu followed with a double. Helms' RBI base hit gave the Marlins a 2-1 lead.

Game Notes

Attendance was 41,656...Milwaukee won five of its seven meetings with the Marlins last season...Florida will next host the Dodgers in a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night, while Milwaukee will play at the Chicago Cubs for the start of a three-game set...After the game the Brewers optioned pitcher Dave Bush to Triple-A Nashville...Hermida had a seven-game hitting streak snapped.