Hanley Helps Fish With Win Over Braves

Could an 8-3 victory mean the Marlins aren't going without a fight?

Updated 6:30 AM EDT, Fri, Sep 4, 2009

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The Florida Marlins have some fight left in them after all, maybe even the kind to get back in the playoff race.

Hanley Ramirez hit a tying, pinch-hit single and scored the go-ahead run in his first game since teammate Dan Uggla publicly challenged his effort, lifting the Florida Marlins over the Atlanta Braves 8-3 Thursday night.

"He came out in the afternoon and he tested it and hit in the cages and said, 'I'm good to pinch hit,'" Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "And did he."

Ramirez emerged in the clubhouse afterward, a towel draped around his waist and wearing a yellow jersey T-shirt of former teammate and current Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera. He then headed back to the training room, and a Marlins spokesman said Ramirez would not be speaking to reporters.

Ramirez's single in the sixth off Kris Medlen made it 3-all. The NL batting leader easily made it to second when right fielder Matt Diaz let the ball skip by him for an error, then scored on Cody Ross' double to highlight a six-run inning.

"I don't know how severe his injury was, but I know he's their guy. He can hit, and why wouldn't they want to give him a chance to get the winning run across?" Medlen said.

Ramirez had said a day earlier that he "got some people upset" for leaving Tuesday's game with a tight left hamstring. Uggla overheard him and openly argued with the All-Star shortstop in the clubhouse.

Uggla accused him of a lack of desire and effort to win and went as far as saying Ramirez didn't care because he's already secured a $70 million, six-year contract.

Gonzalez said Ramirez will be evaluated before the team's game at Washington on Friday before deciding if he will start.

The Marlins salvaged a split of the four-game series. They moved into a tie with Atlanta for third in the wild-card race, four games behind Colorado.

"It was a good series," said Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (10-8), who gave up three runs in six innings. "We didn't get off to a good start, but at least to salvage the last two and pick this up and put some pressure on them was big."