ST. LOUIS -- If the Marlins are to enjoy a magical summer and make it to the postseason, it's going to take a group effort. And on Friday night, the decisive hit came from a utility player known more for his glove than his bat.
Miguel Rojas slapped a two-out RBI single to left in the ninth inning off Seunghwan Oh, lifting Miami to a 7-6 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium.
Rojas, a late-innings replacement for Derek Dietrich, has an understanding of what it takes to make the playoffs. He was on the Dodgers' postseason roster in 2014, the year before he was dealt to Miami as part of the Dee Gordon trade.
"It's not just going to take 25 guys, it's going to take more than that," Rojas said of playing into October. "It's going to take more than that, every guy we've called up. I've been that guy. I went to the playoffs one time, and I know how important it is to be ready from the bench."
The RBI was Rojas' 10th of the season, and he's now batting .261 in 68 games. He has played previously for manager Don Mattingly, in Los Angeles, and is trusted with a game on the line.
"It's probably as much a team win as we've had," Mattingly said. "A lot of guys got on base. Guys got big hits. Again, a lot of good stuff happening."
Mattingly has used Rojas mostly as a defensive replacement. But on Friday, after the Marlins had claimed a one-run lead, Rojas pinch-hit for the left-handed-hitting Dietrich with the bases loaded against southpaw Kevin Siegrist.
The at-bat ended with a fly ball to short right field, but in the ninth inning, against Oh, Rojas came through, driving in Marcell Ozuna, who had doubled.
"Those situations get you ready for the next one," Rojas said. "It's been a while since I've been in those situations, bases loaded with two outs. Sometimes in that situation, you try to do a little too much. In the next situation, I was a little more calm. I was able to deliver.
"This game is when everything starts to count. We have to keep playing good, and tonight was huge."