Anderson’s sacrifice fly wins it for Miami in the 9th
MIAMI (AP) Brian Anderson stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied, one out and the bases loaded.
The Marlins' rookie took the situation in stride like a veteran.
Anderson hit a game-ending sacrifice fly to lift the Miami Marlins over the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Wednesday night.
''In a situation like that, the pressure's not on you, it's on the pitcher,'' Anderson said. ''I tried to stay within myself and get something in the strike zone, something I could elevate.''
J.T. Realmuto had two hits and scored twice for the Marlins, who have won three straight for the first time since winning four in a row April 28-May 1.
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run and Buster Posey had three hits for the Giants, who entered the series winning eight of 10 but have dropped the first three games against last-place Miami and eight of the last nine in the series.
''Yyou can't take any team lightly,'' McCutchen said. ''This is the big leagues and regardless of their record or how many fans are in the stands, you've got to be ready to go.''
Reyes Moronta (2-1) allowed the first two hitters to reach in the bottom of the ninth, prompting manager Bruce Bochy to call on Hunter Strickland. Pinch-hitter J.B. Shuck hit a hard grounder down the first-base line, but Posey was able to dive to keep the ball in front of him, preventing the Marlins from scoring.
However, Strickland got himself into a 3-1 count against Anderson with one out. Anderson connected on a flyball to center field caught by Gorkys Hernandez, whose throw home was too late to catch Miguel Rojas.
''He didn't crush it, but he got it deep enough,'' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
It was the Marlins' third walk-off win of the season.
San Francisco's Evan Longoria broke a 3-all tie with a hit in the seventh off Tayron Guerrero. It was Longoria's team-leading 11th go-ahead RBI of the season.
The Marlins responded with a two-out RBI double in the eighth by Justin Bour off Sam Dyson, tying the game at 4.
It was the third time in the game the Marlins trailed but bounced back to draw even.
''We're doing what we're hoping, we're getting the lead,'' Bochy said. ''We're just having a hard time holding it.''
Drew Steckenrider (3-1) pitched a scoreless top of the ninth.
Andrew Suarez allowed five hits and two runs in five innings for the Giants, pitching in his hometown in front of a number of friends and family members. He struck out three and walked two.
''I just didn't really have a feel for a lot of pitches later in the game,'' Suarez said. ''I just think with all of the humidity and sweating so much, the ball was a little slick. But you have to compete and keep throwing strikes.''
Miami's Caleb Smith pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs.
He also had two hits at the plate.
''That was pretty fun,'' Smith said. ''I've been working on it.''
McCutchen's two-run blast in the first was his seventh of the season.
The Marlins tied the game at 2 on base hits by Cameron Maybin and Lewis Brinson in the fourth.
The teams traded runs in the sixth. Austin Jackson gave the Giants a 3-2 lead before Bour tied it with a base hit.
ROOF OPEN
The retractable roof was open for the 15th time this season, the most in a year since Marlins Park opened in 2012.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt (appendix) is likely to have a couple rehab starts with the goal of joining the team on the next homestand beginning June 18 instead of playing this weekend in Los Angeles. ... RHP Johnny Cueto (left ankle) will have another bullpen session Friday. ... RHP Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder) will have a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday with a pitch limit of 60-65 pitches.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Dereck Rodriguez (1-1, 5.25 ERA) will start Thursday's series finale. Rodriguez, the son of former Marlins catcher and Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez, spent a lot of time around the Marlins when his father helped lead them to a World Series title in 2003.
Marlins: RHP Dan Straily (2-2, 4.08) is 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA in five career starts against the Giants.
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