Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mike Stanton hit a pinch-hit RBI single in the 12th inning Monday, lifting the Marlins to a 5-4 win over the Braves in the opener of a three-game series.
Florida escaped several extra-inning threats by Atlanta to come away with its fourth straight win.
John Buck walked on five pitches to lead off the 12th and pinch runner Brett Hayes went to second base on Bryan Petersen's sacrifice bunt. Anthony Varvaro (0-2) intentionally walked Donnie Murphy and was replaced on the mound by Cristhian Martinez, who surrendered Stanton's go-ahead single to left.
Leo Nunez pitched around a leadoff walk to Jason Howard in the bottom of the inning, picking up his 35th save. He sealed the win for Clay Hensley (4-6), who pitched out of trouble in the previous two innings.
The Braves, who had tied the game on Alex Gonzalez's RBI single in the eighth inning, lost their fourth straight game but remained 4 1/2 games up for the wild card lead after St. Louis also lost Monday.
The Sports Network