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Marlins' bullpen battles control issues vs. Rays

Relievers give up seven-run lead and blow save

MIAMI -- Maybe the "Zombie Night" theme is the reason the game became a thriller. Clearly something changed the vibe on Friday, and it almost proved too costly for the Marlins.

Miami's bullpen had a forgetful performance, allowing a seven-run lead to slip away in the seventh inning. And in the ninth, closer Steve Cishek was unable to convert his first save opportunity.

Video: TB@MIA: Rays erase deficit with seven in the 7th

But in the end, the Marlins prevailed 10-9 in 10 innings on Christian Yelich's walk-off single.

"It was just one of those nights," Cishek said. "I don't know if it was Zombie Night, or whatever. We just couldn't find the zone."

Five Miami relievers combined to give up eight runs on four hits with six walks and six strikeouts.

"The best part about baseball is it's a team game," Cishek said. "Our boys picked us up offensively. It was a great outcome in the end."

Manager Mike Redmond pinpointed the problem -- command.

"We couldn't throw strikes," Redmond said.

After Dan Haren turned an 8-1 game over the bullpen in the seventh inning, David Phelps labored, giving up two hits and two walks. He got a tough break when Giancarlo Stanton in right field lost Desmond Jennings' liner, which was called a hit. Sam Dyson entered and had a strikeout and two walks.

"G lost that ball in the lights, but we somehow lost the strike zone," the manager said. "I don't know if we were probably trying to be too perfect. But with a seven-run lead, we were just looking for outs right there."

Cishek had some bad luck in the ninth, trying to preserve a one-run lead.

Video: TB@MIA: Guyer leads off 9th with a double

Brandon Guyer led off with a double to right. He poked the pitch the other way and it stayed fair. Guyer scored the tying run on Asdrubal Cabrera's fielder's choice grounder to third. If the ball was hit harder, it could have been a game-ending double play.

"Guyer, you can't do anything about that. Hats off to Guyer. He shot it down the line," Cishek said. "We struggled tonight as a group. We have a very solid bullpen. It's a fluke, in my opinion."

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro.
Read More: Miami Marlins, David Phelps, Steve Cishek