Key error in 8th helps Cards get past Marlins 6-5

[June 12, 2009]  MIAMI (AP) -- Pinch-hitter Colby Rasmus hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning after a costly error by center fielder Cody Ross, sending the St. Louis Cardinals over the Florida Marlins 6-5 Thursday.

The Cardinals rallied for three runs in the eighth. Ross allowed Ryan Ludwick's RBI single to get past him for a two-base error that let an additional run score, and Rasmus followed with his tiebreaking hit.

Albert Pujols hit his 19th home run and Rick Ankiel added three hits for the Cardinals.

Ross Gload homered twice for the Marlins. He drove in three runs with the first multihomer game of his career.

Trever Miller (2-0) pitched a scoreless seventh. Ryan Franklin recorded his 14th save by going 1 2-3 innings.

Pujols reached into the first-base stands and caught Wes Helms' foul popup with a runner on second for the final out.

Leo Nunez (2-3) took over in the eighth with Florida ahead 5-3. Ankiel led off with a single, Pujols walked on a full count and Ludwick singled. The ball got under Ross' glove and rolled to the wall, letting Ankiel and Pujols score the tying runs.

Rasmus batted for Miller and singled to right.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first against Andrew Miller when Nick Stavinoha singled home Ankiel.

Gload put the Marlins ahead with a two-run homer in the second off Todd Wellemeyer.

Ronny Paulino had an RBI single in the Marlins fourth and Jeremy Hermida blooped an RBI single in the fifth for a 4-1 lead.

Miller was cruising along, having retiring 14 straight batters, until Ankiel singled in the sixth. Pujols followed with a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole.

Gload responded in the bottom half, leading off with a home run to right. He went into the game with only one home run this season.

Wellemeyer allowed five runs and 11 hits in six innings. Miller gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, striking out eight without a walk.

Notes: Ankiel went 8 for 13 with four extra-base hits in the three-game series after hitting .152 in his previous 15 games. ... Marlins C John Baker is hoping to return to the lineup on Friday after being struck on a backswing in Tuesday's game, causing him to receive six stitches. ... Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez is not expected to come off the DL when he is eligible on June 18.

[Associated Press]

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