Cubs fall to Marlins, Florida avoids series sweep

Wes Helms` two-run double that hugged the right-field line in the top of the eighth inning put Florida in front to stay, as the Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs, 7-5, to avoid a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. Ricky Nolasco (1-0) picked up the victory, pitching two scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Starting pitcher Scott Olsen surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on just one hit with three walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Miguel Cabrera finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Josh Willingham belted a two-run homer and Chris Aguila ended with two hits for the Marlins, who snapped a three-game skid and ended with a 3-5 record on their road trip. Aramis Ramirez went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a solo homer while Matt Murton drove in two runs in the loss. Angel Guzman gave up three runs on six hits with four walks and five strikeouts over five frames in his major-league debut, but left with the game tied at 3-3. Scott Williamson (2-1) gave up three runs on three walks while only retiring one batter to absorb the loss. "After I pitched, 1/8Maddux3/8 came up to me," said Guzman. "I said my mouth was dry." Florida seized the lead in the top of the eighth thanks in part to the wind. Williamson toed the rubber for Chicago and immediately walked Willingham. The righty was then called for a balk, advancing pinch-runner Eric Reed to second. Williamson then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Reed to take third base with nobody out. Mike Jacobs then struck out and Dan Uggla was walked to place runners at the corners with one out. Aguila was walked, spelling the end of Williamson`s outing. Helms then greeted Bob Howry with a wind-blown, two-run double that dropped just inside the chalk down the right-field line to make the score 5-3. Miguel Olivo then grabbed a bat off the bench and clubbed a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Aguila with the inning`s third run. Chicago got two runs back in the bottom of the frame. John Mabry singled and Juan Pierre walked to put the first two men on base. Ramirez then walked with two outs to load the bases. Murton delivered with a two-run single to make the score 6-5. Florida added an insurance run in the ninth on Jacobs` RBI single to center. The wind always plays havoc at Wrigley Field, and Ramirez took advantage of a breezy afternoon with a high fly ball that reached the left-center field seats for a 1-0 edge. The youthful Marlins took the lead in the fourth inning, finally getting to Guzman for three runs. Cabrera walked then Willingham turned on a fastball and deposited the pitch in the basket just over the left-center field fence for a 2-1 lead. Jacobs walked and advanced one base on Aguila`s single to center. Matt Treanor followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Jacobs with the third run of the frame. The Cubs squared the contest in the home half of the inning, as Olsen lost command of his pitches. Ronny Cedeno, Ramirez and Murton all walked then Jerry Hairston Jr. hit what looked like a double-play ground ball to Uggla at second. He flipped the ball to Hanley Ramirez, but the shortstop`s throw sailed over first base. Cedeno and Aramis Ramirez scored on the play to tie the game at 3-3. Game Notes Chicago is 2-1 on its eight-game homestand...Cubs catcher Michael Barrett injured his left index finger on a headfirst slide during Tuesday`s game. He was taken to the hospital before Wednesday`s game, and x-rays turned out to be negative. He is listed as day-to-day...Pierre, a former Marlin centerfielder, finished 1-for-11 in the series.