Marlins Snatch Defeat From Jaws Of Victory, 8-6

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) - The Florida Marlins were set to finally break their epic losing ways in August Tuesday night. But right when victory was at hand, the Marlins choked.

The Marlins were leading heading into the top of the ninth inning against the Cincinatti Reds. But after Yonder Alonso homered and drove in four runs, including a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning, the Cincinnati Reds came out with a 8-6 victory over the fading Marlins.

Dave Sappelt tied the game at 6 with a two-run double and the Reds scored four times in the ninth off closer Leo Nunez (1-4), who blew his sixth save in 39 chances. They were the first career RBIs for Sappelt, who had three hits.

Jay Bruce hit his 27th home run for the Reds. Emilio Bonifacio homered and drove in three for the Marlins, who have lost six in a row. They are 2-16 in their last 18 games.

With the Reds trailing 6-4 going into the ninth, Joey Votto walked and Brandon Phillips singled. Sappelt then laced a double to left field, scoring both runners. Three batters later, Alonso lined a two-run double to center.

Alonso, who attended high school and college in Miami, had more than 200 friends and family members in attendance to see him go 3 for 4 while making his first start of the season at first base. He hit a solo homer, his second, in the second inning and had an RBI single in the third.

Aroldis Chapman (3-1) picked up the win, striking out the only batter he faced. Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 27th save in 32 chances.

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco struck out eight to move past Dontrelle Willis, now pitching for the Reds, to become the club's career strikeout leader with 765.

Nolasco allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto yielded three runs in five innings and issued a season-high six walks.

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