After Mets rally, Solano delivers walk-off RBI single

MIAMI -- The buildup on Tuesday was centered around Adam Greenberg's "one at-bat," and R.A. Dickey's quest for 21 wins. But for the Marlins, the storyline was all too familiar, as they allowed a late-inning lead to slip away.

Still, the Marlins showed resilience and pulled out a 4-3 victory on Donovan Solano's walk-off single in the 11th inning in front of 29,709 at Marlins Park.

Solano, who struck out in each of his first four at-bats, ended his night on a high note. His single capped Miami's ninth walk-off win, and improved the club's record in extra innings to 12-5.

"Those four strikeouts already happened," Solano said. "For that at-bat, I just focused and selected a good pitch. I wanted to stay up the middle."

The tapper up the middle past a drawn-in infield was Solano's first walk-off hit at the professional level.

"First walk-off," he said. "None in the Minors. I feel good. I end my day by trying to put up a W."

The Marlins have taken the first two in the series and will strive for the sweep in the season finale on Wednesday. Miami has not won three straight since July 4-6.

Leading off the 11th, Jose Reyes tripled off Collin McHugh. Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked, as was Carlos Lee, to load the bases. After Rob Brantly struck out, Solano slapped his single up the middle.

"We had the right man in the right spot," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "This kid put the ball in play. The kid came through for us one more time."

Marlins rookie Jacob Turner was brilliant in his final start, but he settled for a no-decision after going a season-high 7 2/3 innings while allowing one run.

Turner came into the eighth with a three-run lead, but he was lifted with two outs and Jordany Valdespin on second with a double. Mike Dunn yielded a single to Daniel Murphy, and Heath Bell was brought in to face David Wright, who singled in a run. Ike Davis walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Wright, making it a one-run game, and Scott Hairston tied the score on an infield RBI single to third. A.J. Ramos relieved Bell, and retired Lucas Duda on a popout to third.

Bell now is 19-for-27 in save opportunities.

"[Turner's] last three outings, four outings, we've blown it for him," Guillen said. "The good thing about this is, he's throwing the ball well. You give a shot for him to get some confidence to make the ballclub next year."

The Mets rallying for three runs in the eighth got Dickey off the hook for a rare loss. Instead, the New York ace settled for a no-decision and finished 20-6.

Dickey came in 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA and two complete games against Miami. He is the only pitcher to beat the Marlins five times in a season. In six innings, Dickey allowed three runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts.

"Obviously, it's a good ending to the season, personally for me and the team," Turner said. "Anytime you're facing R.A. Dickey, it's obviously going to be a tough game. It was a real team effort today."

Entering Tuesday, the knuckleballer allowed two home runs in 39 innings against the Marlins. But he was tagged for home runs by Gorkys Hernandez and Brantly.

But the most anticipated at-bat of the night was by Greenberg, who finally was able to get his second big league at-bat, which came seven years after he was struck in the back of the head by the only Major League pitch he had seen.

Greenberg came to the plate in the sixth. And although the result wasn't what he was looking for, the 31-year-old took part in an inning the Marlins tacked on an insurance run.

Greenberg pinch-hit for Bryan Petersen. It was an opportune time, with Miami ahead by two, and no one on base. Greenberg's time in the batter's box was minimal as he struck out on three pitches, swinging through a third-pitch knuckleball from Dickey.

"I wanted him to have his moment, for sure," Dickey said. "I tried to give him as much time as I felt like I could before I got on the rubber. I think the story far transcends the result of the at-bat. But just like I said before, that was important for him and me, for me to treat him like a big leaguer."

After Hernandez went down on strikes, Dickey had a string of five consecutive strikeouts. The streak was snapped by Reyes, who singled. Stanton added a single, and Lee delivered a two-out RBI single, giving the Marlins a three-run cushion.

As advertised, Greenberg got his one at-bat and no action in the field. He was replaced by Scott Cousins in the seventh.

Greenberg's presence added some energy and excited the fans, who gave him a standing ovation.

"We've been losing so much, this team was hating each other," Guillen quipped. "He brought a lot of smiles, a lot of tears. When a team is in last place, and all of a sudden you see a standing ovation, you don't see that often. That was a great opportunity. It was good for everyone. Thank goodness it worked out for everyone."