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09/05 15:58 CDT Cousins helps Marlins beat Braves 7-6
Cousins helps Marlins beat Braves 7-6
By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) -- Sent to the plate after a scary scene, pinch-hitter Scott Cousins delivered a game-winning single in the 10th inning for his first big league hit and the Florida Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 Sunday. Cousins batted after Emilio Bonifacio lined a foul that struck teammate Logan Morrison in the left cheek as he waited in the on-deck circle. Morrison's helmet flew off and he collapsed face-down as the crowd gasped, but he quickly rose and walked off the field accompanied by a trainer. "He's a tough kid. He wanted to keep playing," the Marlins' Dan Uggla said. "It's as hard as I've seen anybody get hit in the face with a baseball. ... It missed the eye, thank goodness. Hopefully nothing is broken." Morrison was taken to a hospital for tests. Bonifacio lined the next pitch for a leadoff triple against Eric O'Flaherty (3-2). Cousins batted for Morrison and hit a deep fly over the head of left fielder Melky Cabrera. It was only the second at-bat in the majors for Cousins. The Braves, who had overcome a 6-0 deficit, began the day with a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East. Florida's winning run ended a streak of 15 1-3 consecutive scoreless innings by the Atlanta bullpen. Burke Badenhop (2-5) pitched a scoreless 10th for the Marlins, who will take a taxed bullpen into Monday's doubleheader at Philadelphia. Florida benefited from several defense gems, most notably when a leaping Cameron Maybin reached above the center-field wall to rob Nate McLouth of a grand slam in the sixth inning. The Braves tied it with five runs in the sixth. The bizarre rally included three consecutive scratch singles, two bases-loaded walks and a two-run sacrifice fly by McLouth when Maybin made his sensational catch. Braves starter Mike Minor lasted only four innings, the shortest outing in his five career starts. He allowed nine hits, eight for extra bases, and six runs to hike his ERA to 5.33, but prevented additional damage by picking off Hanley Ramirez and Maybin. Alex Sanabia held Atlanta to one hit over the first 4 1-3 innings but failed to get an out in the sixth. He gave up six hits and five runs. Ramirez drove in three runs, hit his 20th homer and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Atlanta's comeback began when McLouth snapped an 0-for-17 skid with a two-out RBI single in the fifth to make the score 6-1. Omar Infante began the Braves' wild sixth with a broken-bat single, and Jason Heyward and Martin Prado reached on infield hits to load the bases. Brian McCann walked on a 3-2 pitch to force in a run, and Chris Leroux replaced Sanabia. After Troy Glaus hit an RBI single, the Marlins finally got an out when first baseman Gaby Sanchez made an acrobatic sliding catch of a pop foul as he caromed off the retaining wall. But Cabrera walked to force in another run. McLouth then hit a deep fly. Maybin retreated to the wall and made the catch, but his wild throw sailed into short right field and allowed two runs to score, tying the game at 6. Florida scored in the first inning when Morrison tripled for the third time in the series, then came home on Ramirez's infield hit. The Marlins made it 3-0 in the second. Sanchez and Wes Helms hit consecutive doubles to score one run, and Brad Davis hit a sacrifice fly. Bonifacio and Morrison hit back-to-back doubles to start the third, and Ramirez homered. At that point the Marlins were 8 for 10, with six extra-base hits. NOTES: Braves RHP Derek Lowe, who skipped a scheduled start for the first time in his career Friday because of right elbow pain, played catch Sunday and said he felt better after receiving a cortisone shot. He plans to throw in the bullpen Monday and said he expects to make his scheduled start Wednesday at Pittsburgh. ... Rain delayed the game for 23 minutes in the bottom of the fifth inning. ... Marlins rookie Mike Stanton, who struck out pinch-hitting, is 1 for 30 against the Braves this season with 16 strikeouts. ... Braves manager Bobby Cox gave Glaus a start at 1B, resting Derrek Lee. ... Atlanta's Freddie Freeman singled in the ninth for his first major league hit.
