Reds 7, Marlins 6(10)

5/14/2008 10:44 PM

By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) -Paul Janish's first day in the major leagues ended with a game-winning hit and a bloody nose.

He won't forget either one.

The Cincinnati Reds blew a six-run lead in the ninth Wednesday night, but Janish singled home the tiebreaking run in only his second big-league at-bat for a 7-6, 10-inning victory over the Florida Marlins.

His opposite-field hit to right on an 0-2 changeup from Renyel Pinto brought a wave of teammates onto the field for a joyous pummeling, one that left him with a bloody nose. He didn't mind.

``Hopefully, it will only get better, but that's hard to imagine,'' said the 25-year-old shortstop, who had drops of fresh blood on the pants leg of his white uniform.

The Reds matched their season high with their third straight win, all against a Marlins team that came to town on its best run of the season.

The Marlins arrived with a seven-game winning streak and the best record in the major leagues. By dropping the first three games of the series, they equaled their longest losing streak of the season.

They almost pulled it out.

The Reds went into the ninth with a 6-0 lead and a distinction: The only team in the majors without a blown save. Seven batters later, the lead and the distinction were gone.

``It was scripted until the ninth inning,'' Reds manager Dusty Baker said. ``Like Yogi (Berra) said, `It ain't over until it's over,' and he ain't lying.''

Luis Gonzalez broke the shutout with an RBI double off Mike Lincoln, who left with the bases loaded and no outs. Closer Francisco Cordero, who had been a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances, came on and gave up a two-run single to Matt Treanor.

One out later, Cody Ross hit a three-run homer to left field, raising his fist as he rounded first base. It was the first homer allowed this season by Cordero, and the second in two games by Ross.

``You can't ever give up in this ballpark,'' Ross said. ``You've got to play to the last out in every inning. We did that. We got to Cordero pretty good. I felt pretty comfortable in the ninth.''

Pinto (1-2) walked two with two outs in the 10th to bring up Janish, who drove up from Triple-A Louisville earlier in the day. He got into the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth and made two slick plays, drawing cheers from the crowd of 12,756.

When he flied out to deep left field in his first at-bat in the eighth, the fans gave him a standing ovation. His second time up, he took two fastballs for strikes, then went the other way with a changeup.

And, he got another ovation.

``He didn't beat us,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``We walked two guys to set that up. But that was our best guy out there. You tip your hat to the kid.''

Jared Burton (2-1) pitched a perfect 10th for the win.

The bullpen's meltdown ruined another solid performance by Reds starter Bronson Arroyo, who threw seven shutout innings on short rest.

The Reds pulled ahead 6-0 behind Jerry Hairston Jr., who is Cincinnati's main shortstop with Jeff Keppinger sidelined by a broken kneecap. Hairston had a single, double and RBI triple.

Adam Dunn also homered, and Ken Griffey Jr. had a run-scoring double.

Center fielder Corey Patterson threw out runners at home and third base, helping Arroyo get in position for a win the old-fashioned way - with only three days between starts. Arroyo gave up five hits in seven shutout innings, throwing 111 pitches. He left after striking out the side in the seventh.

Arroyo volunteered to work on short rest so the club could get its rotation back in order following a weekend doubleheader. In three previous starts on short rest, Arroyo was 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA, including a three-hit shutout against San Francisco in 2006.

``I felt great on three days' rest,'' Arroyo said. ``You pitch one day, and then you're out there again. I felt strong.''

Notes: Ross batted leadoff for the fourth time this season. ... Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to seven games. ... Janish's mother happened to be visiting Louisville when he was called up. She made the two-hour drive to Cincinnati with him, got to see the ballpark before the game, then watched her son win it. ... The organist played ``Happy Birthday'' to Tony Perez, who turned 66. Perez played for the Big Red Machine - his No. 24 is retired - and was in town as a Marlins special assistant.