Sep 3, 2009 10:34 am US/Eastern
Marlins Overcome Controversy And Beat Braves 8-7
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Florida Marlins day began with internal squabbling, but as is usually the case, winning can cure almost any disagreement in sports. Marlins player Hanley Ramirez said he "got some people upset" for leaving Tuesday's game early with an injury. Marlins player Dan Uggla then openly argued with Ramirez and that sparked a closed door team meeting. But after that meeting, the Marlins came out swinging and knocked off the Atlanta Braves 8-7.
Brett Carroll hit a bases-clearing double, and Ross Gload finished a home run shy of the cycle to help Florida end a day of infighting with a win. Yunel Escobar homered in the top of the ninth off Leo Nunez (4-4) to tie the game. Pinch-hitter Chipper Jones added a three-run double.
But the real fireworks happened well before the first pitch.
After Uggla heard Ramirez's comments while sitting at his locker nearby, he accused Ramirez of a lack of desire and effort to win. Uggla also said the shortstop wasn't caring because he's already secured a $70 million, six-year contract. Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez then held a closed-door meeting.
Frustrations had been building with the Marlins losing two straight. They remain five games behind Colorado for the NL wild card, but moved a game back of the Braves for second in the division.
"It's September baseball," Gonzalez said. "Two teams fighting for the wild card and the division or whatever it is. The games are ticking away and emotions are going on. It's good to see our guys respond."
After Brian McCann hit a sacrifice fly, Adam LaRoche had an RBI single in the first inning that gave the Braves a 2-0 lead.
Gload got things started in the third with a double, and Uggla followed with his 25th home run of the season to tie it.
The Braves took advantage of a Marlins error in the fifth, when Uggla misfired on a throw to second to start what should have been a routine double play. Escobar later drove in McCann with a single to give Atlanta a 3-2 lead.
"It felt like we won that game but we didn't," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.
Things went sour quickly for the Braves.
After starter Javier Vazquez loaded the bases in the sixth, reliever Kris Medlen gave up a three-run double to pinch-hitter Carroll that started a five-run inning to put Florida in front 7-3. Jones tried to get the Braves back with a three-run double of his own in the seventh.
Reliever Tim Wood then loaded the bases by hitting Matt Diaz, who started to walk toward the mound as the dugouts and bullpens began to clear before retreating. Kiko Calero entered to get Martin Prado to pop out and end the threat.
"All that I said when I first got out of the box was, 'find a clue,"' Diaz said about the near confrontation. "Ronny (Paulino) did the right thing, any catcher would do, which was to stand up and tell the runner to get to first and shut your mouth."
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Police: Youth Minister Molested Teen
Click to enlarge
9/11 Defendants Will Explain Reasons For Attacks 48 mins ago 
I-Team: Tracking The Florida Stimulus Money Trail 
Stumble It!
