Marlins best Rockies' rally with one of their own in 9th inning
DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Rockies looked like they were going to celebrate a rare comeback victory. However, Carlos Estevez couldn't seal it.
Estevez gave up a go-ahead, two-run single to Martin Prado during a four-run rally in the ninth inning that sent the Miami Marlins to a 5-3 win over the Rockies on Friday night.
Colorado scored three times in the eighth to take a 3-1 lead, but Miami bounced back.
"My fastball wasn't there, my command wasn't there," Estevez said. "Every pitch I throw I want to have my command. Today I didn't."
DJ LeMahieu had four hits for Colorado, Carlos Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 16 games, and David Dahl hit safely in his 11th consecutive game in the majors.
Miami ended a three-game losing skid and stayed even with St. Louis for the second wild-card spot, with Colorado falling four games behind.
"These losses are always frustrating," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss, whose team has just two wins when it has fallen behind after the seventh inning this season.
In the eighth, LeMahieu scored from second to tie the game when Nolan Arenado hit into a forceout and Gordon threw a potential double-play ball into the stands.
Dahl, who is hitting .356 since making his debut, then lined an RBI single off Fernando Rodney and Mark Reynolds extended the lead with a double.
Brian Ellington (2-1) came in and got the last two outs of the inning. A.J. Ramos recorded his 32nd save in 34 chances after the Marlins rallied in the ninth.
"It's fun," Miami manager Don Mattingly said. "We're trying to win every day, (the Rockies) need to win every day -- we're very similar clubs in my mind that we're both experiencing a shot at getting in the playoffs for the first time in a while."
Marlins pinch-hitter Ichiro Suzuki struck out on three pitches and remains two hits away from 3,000. He is in an 0-for-11 slump.
Jorge De La Rosa gave up four hits and one run over six strong innings. He's had a quality start in eight of his last nine outings.
ICHIRO'S QUEST
Suzuki didn't start Friday and manager Don Mattingly said there was no concrete decision on when the outfielder would be back in the lineup.
"No real plans," Mattingly said. "I look at the matchups and I look at our guys. With the (Sunday) day game, it could be a better chance, but it really would depend on how (Marcell) Ozuna looks and how Giancarlo looks."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 1B Justin Bour (ankle) will not to return from the 15-day disabled until after the Marlins complete their three-game series in Colorado. ... RHP Bryan Morris (back), who is on the 60-day DL, will not return to the Marlins until September at the earliest, Mattingly said.
Rockies: Gonzalez started after missing Thursday with a sprained left ankle. ... Daniel Descalso (shoulder) returned to the lineup after he went head-first into the wall Thursday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-7, 4.54 ERA) held the Cardinals to two runs in six strong innings in his Marlins debut.
Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (9-6, 5.16 ERA) was 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA in July.
