By Christopher Stock
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Josh Willingham delivered a go-ahead single in
the bottom of the eighth as the Florida Marlins scored seven
times in the inning and held on for an 8-7 victory over the
Washington Nationals to win their fifth straight game.

The Marlins trailed 6-1 in the eighth after Ryan Langerhans hit
a three-run homer in the top of the inning. Jorge Cantu
started the comeback with a two-run double. Two batters later,
Dan Uggla hit a two-run single up the middle to pull the Marlins
within 6-5.

After a pop out by Cody Ross, Alfredo Amezaga laid down a
successful squeeze bunt as Uggla came home to score the tying
run. Pitcher Joel Hanrahan fielded the bunt, but did not have a
play at home. Instead, without looking, he threw the ball to
first base, which was uncovered, allowing Jeremy Hermida to
advance to third.

"Not pretty," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "We scored
enough runs and kept them in the ballpark, but our three best
(relievers) go out there and just big-time melt down."

Willingham followed with a single to drive home Hermida to give
the Marlins a 7-6 lead. A fielding error by Kory Casto gave the
Marlins another run.

"It was a wild finish, that's how crazy this game is," Uggla
said. "You never know what is going to happen. If you put
yourself in a situation and the guy behind you keeps picking
everyone up, you never know. You can't explain it."

The inning ended on what appeared to be a sacrifice fly, but
third base umpire Greg Gibson ruled Willingham left base early.

"I did not leave early," Willingham said. "I didn't think I
left early at the time and I went and watched the replay and it
confirmed I did not leave early. I think he missed a call."

Joe Nelson got the first two outs of the ninth inning, before
suffering a leg cramp prompting manager Fredi Gonzalez to turn
towards Kevin Gregg to try to get the final out.

"It was gone three minutes later, but Fredi said 'we are not
going to risk it'," Nelson said. "I'm fine. I can throw now.
We don't play now do we?"

However, Gregg allowed an RBI double to Lastings Milledge and
was immediately pulled in favor of Arthur Rhodes, who struck out
Elijah Dukes to end the game while registering his first save.

Andrew Miller (6-9) picked up the win in relief while Steven
Shell (2-2) took the loss.



Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez pitched seven innings and allowed
three runs - two earned - four hits and three walks. He struck
out seven.

"I don't think too much about what kind of team they are. I
just try to attack the zone and be ahead all of the time,"
Sanchez said.

Nationals starter Collin Balester held the Marlins without a hit
through 5 2/3 innings until Cantu singled to left field to break
up the no-hitter. The 22-year old righthander allowed one run
and four hits while striking out five and walking three.

"For the most part, I didn't think I had my best stuff,"
Balester said. "I was just able to get outs when I needed to."