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  Thursday, Apr. 6 1:05pm ET
Floyd's two-out, two-run shot wins it
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

MIAMI (AP) -- On the game's final pitch, the smallest crowd in Florida Marlins history was rewarded for its loyalty.

Cliff Floyd's two-run homer with two out in the ninth inning capped a comeback from a four-run deficit and Florida beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 Thursday before a record-low turnout of 7,741.

"We can't cry or moan about the attendance," Floyd said. "If we win a lot more, the fans will come out and watch us play."

Trailing 4-3, the Marlins led off the ninth with a single by Kevin Millar against John Johnstone (1-1). Following a sacrifice and a foulout, Floyd hit the first pitch to the opposite field for his first homer.

Floyd said he hit an outside fastball. Johnstone said it was a sinker that stayed up.

"He just crushed it," said Johnstone, who played for Florida in 1993-95. "I stunk when I played here, and I still stink every time I come back."

Left fielder Barry Bonds could only watch as the ball sailed out. Floyd said the homer was his first over the Pro Player Stadium scoreboard in four seasons with the Marlins.

"Bonds scared me," Floyd said. "He looked like he was about to catch that ball."

For the second time in 24 hours, the Marlins drew the smallest home crowd in the franchise's eight-year history. Weather wasn't to blame, because it was sunny and 73 degrees Thursday.

"We're breaking records every day," said owner John Henry, whose plan for a new ballpark was scuttled this week by Gov. Jeb Bush. "Is there any support for this team?"

The victory provided some consolation by avenging an 11-9 loss Wednesday night, when the Giants scored four times in the ninth.

"Yesterday was so depressing and today was so exhilarating," Marlins manager John Boles said. "Our guys do fight. To get a win like this is tremendous."

The Marlins overcame four-run deficits at home to beat San Francisco three times in a row last year.

"They're a lot tougher here than they are away from here," Giants manager Dusty Baker said, "but that's most teams."

San Francisco squandered a strong outing by Joe Nathan, who had a career-high nine strikeouts in seven innings. He allowed just three hits and left for a pinch-hitter with a 4-1 lead.

Florida scored twice in the eighth and loaded the bases before Johnstone got Sandy Martinez to fly out on a 3-2 pitch with two out. But with Giants closer Robb Nen being rested after pitching on back-to-back nights, Johnstone couldn't hold the lead in the ninth.

"We went as far with Joe as we thought we could go," Baker said. "Because of Nen's situation, we had guys who weren't accustomed to the situation."

Dan Miceli (1-0) struck out the only batter he faced.

Bonds hit a two-run homer, and Russ Davis' solo homer in the second put the Giants ahead 1-0.

Calvin Murray had a career-high three hits for the Giants, who hit six home runs while splitting the season-opening four-game series.

Florida failed to muster much offense against Nathan. Mark Kotsay, who lost the right-field job at the end of spring training, made his first start of the season and hit a solo homer in the fourth to make the score 4-1.

Kotsay also robbed Rich Aurilia of an extra-base hit and an RBI with a running, juggling catch in deep right-center in the eighth.

"I was out there in death valley," Kotsay said. "I was just getting an opportunity to play and making the most of it."

For the Marlins, their 2-2 record is encouraging. Florida started 6-22 last year and 1-11 in 1998.

"We're out to prove we're better than people thought," Kotsay said.

Game notes
Florida's Alex Gonzalez went 0-for-4 and is off to an 0-for-17 start with five strikeouts. ... Armando Rios, who came off the bench to double twice Wednesday, is 7-for-16 lifetime against Florida. ... Davis hit .298 against left-handers and .229 against right-handers last year. ... Jesus Sanchez, who picked off five runners in 76 1/3 innings last year, picked Marvin Benard off first in the third inning. ... Nathan's previous career high in strikeouts was six against Pittsburgh last Aug. 27. ... The Giants' J.T. Snow went 1-for-3 and is 11-for-54 (.204) lifetime in Miami.

 


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