Smith drives in winning run, Rockies beat Marlins

Seth Smith drives in winning run with single in 9th to lift Rockies past Marlins 3-2

Pinch-hitter Seth Smith drove in the winning run with a single in the ninth inning, helping the Colorado Rockies beat the Florida Marlins 3-2 on Sunday.

Florida reliever Joe Nelson walked Chris Iannetta to lead off the ninth. Iannetta was replaced by pinch-runner Cory Sullivan, who stole second. Nelson (2-1) intentionally walked Brad Hawpe, then Smith singled up the middle to score Sullivan and give the Rockies their first lead.

Taylor Buchholz (4-3) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win, and closer Brian Fuentes retired Jorge Cantu and Josh Willingham with the bases loaded in the ninth for his 20th save in 24 chances.

Matt Holliday cut the lead to 2-1 with a home run off Florida reliever Doug Waechter in the seventh inning, his third home run in the last two games.

The Rockies tied it in the eighth when pinch-hitter Ian Stewart was hit by a pitch from Renyel Pinto, advanced to second on Pinto's throwing error and scored on Troy Tulowitzki's single off Nelson.

Colorado split the four-game series with the Marlins, who entered Sunday's contest 1 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading Phillies. Florida begins a crucial six-game trip to division rivals Philadelphia and New York on Tuesday.

Scott Olsen baffled Colorado for six innings, striking out six and walking two. The only hit he allowed came in the sixth, when Willy Taveras grounded a one-out single down the third-base line. Taveras was later caught trying to steal second.

The Marlins led 2-0 when Olsen was lifted for pinch-hitter Luis Gonzalez with the bases loaded in their half of the sixth, but reliever Luis Vizcaino struck out Gonzalez to end the inning.

Florida jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Alfredo Amezaga scored on Willingham's sacrifice fly, and Mike Jacobs added a solo homer off Glendon Rusch in the second.

Rusch gave up two runs and six hits for Colorado, striking out eight over 5 1-3 innings.

Notes: Cantu singled twice for the Marlins to extend his career-best hitting streak to 12 games. ... Florida C Matt Treanor caught nine innings at Class-A Jupiter on Saturday. ... Marlins LHP Andrew Miller (patella tendinitis in right knee) is expected to pitch three innings in a Gulf Coast League game Monday. ... Colorado LHP Jeff Francis (left shoulder inflammation) will rejoin the rotation this week.