The Marlins made a big comeback to get back in their game Tuesday night, but a Jeff Kent single in the ninth made it all for naught.
Kent's single with two outs scored Andre Ethier from second base and lifted the Dodgers to a 7-6 victory over Florida at Dolphin Stadium.
The Marlins trailed Los Angeles 6-1 after just 2 ½ innings, but they gave themselves a chance -- only to come up a bit short.
''To battle back the way we did is a good sign for our club,'' Marlins outfielder Luis Gonzalez said. ``This is a pretty unique team. It's a team with a lot of strikeouts but has guys who can hit it out of the ballpark in a hurry. When I was on the other side, [the Marlins] were a pretty scary team to play because you never know who can pop it out.''
Florida, still atop the National League East, battled back against Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe.
The Marlins put up three runs in the fifth after Hanley Ramirez reached on a fielding error with two outs. Ramirez and Dan Uggla then scored on Jeremy Hermida's broken-bat double into right field. The Marlins tied it when Jorge Cantu singled in Hermida.
MILLER FALTERS AGAIN
Those runs helped the Marlins erase another forgettable outing by Andrew Miller, one of the key pieces in the Detroit Tigers deal that sent Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera north to Michigan.
Miller, 22, failed to get into the fifth inning for the third time this season.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said Miller was pulled after he appeared to wince after making a play at first base in the third inning. Miller has had minor right-knee pain through the years, and Gonzalez said they didn't want to risk anything.
''We didn't want to take a chance and send him back out there,'' Gonzalez said.
As far as Miller's outing, he added: ``He didn't pitch as bad as the boxscore will indicate.''
The boxscore isn't pretty, though: Miller surrendered six runs (all earned) in three innings of work. Florida's bullpen delivered, however, with Doug Waechter going four scoreless in relief. Los Angeles got its winning run off closer Kevin Gregg (3-1).
''You have days like that, and I have to do a better job of stopping it,'' Miller said. ``I hate going out that early in a game. Luckily, Doug came in, and, as the bullpen has done time after time, they helped me out. I didn't put them in a good position, so to be able to come back is a phenomenal job. If anyone deserves the loss, it's me.''
The Marlins, once climbing back into the game, showed plenty of pluck. Uggla made a highlight-reel grab in the sixth, racing over from second on a high popup and diving headfirst into the stands to make a spectacular catch. Center fielder Alfredo Amezaga ended the inning by making a diving grab to rob Ethier of an RBI.
Marlins catcher Mike Rabelo also showed some emotion and grit, making a big stop at the plate and spiking the baseball as if he had just scored a touchdown.
COLLISION AHEAD
With two outs in the eighth, Blake DeWitt singled, then came home on a double to right by Mark Sweeney. It appeared DeWitt was going to make it, but the throw was on line and early, and Rabelo was able to catch it and turn. DeWitt lowered his shoulder and barreled into Rabelo with the intent to dislodge the ball.
He was unsuccessful, though. Rabelo made the stop, looked at DeWitt with a defiant sneer and slammed the ball into the turf.
Point made.
''I like guys full of [energy] like that,'' Fredi Gonzalez said. ``But that's not how we want to be portrayed as an organization or as a team. I spoke to [Rabelo] afterward. He'll be fine. But it's good to show a little emotion.''
The Marlins, if nothing else, have plenty of that.
