Marlins hold off Cardinals 8-7

ST. LOUIS -- Mike Stanton hit a tiebreaking two-run drive in the ninth inning for his third homer in four games, lifting the Florida Marlins to an 8-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

Gaby Sanchez had two hits and a bases-loaded walk for the Marlins, who survived blowing a four-run cushion and secured at least a split in all five of their road sets. Sanchez is 8 for 14 during this trip to St. Louis, with Florida sending ace Josh Johnson to the mound against Jake Westbrook for today's finale of the four-game series.

Leo Nunez gave up Jon Jay's second pinch-hit homer of the season in the ninth, but got Matt Holliday to ground into a game-ending double play for his 11th save in 11 chances. Holliday had two hits and an RBI and leads the NL with a .413 average.

Emilio Bonifacio and Omar Infante had three hits apiece after switching places in the Florida order, Bonifacio moving up to second and Infante down to seventh because of a 4 for 30 slump.

Eduardo Sanchez (1-1) had Hanley Ramirez down 0-2 before walking him on a full count to start the ninth.