Prado, Marlins rally for 4 in 9th, beat Rockies 5-3

DENVER (AP) Martin Prado was happy to supply the big hit in the Miami Marlins' comeback victory on Friday night.

Not just happy for his team. He was happy for second baseman Dee Gordon, who'd made a costly error in the prior inning that nearly cost the Marlins.

Prado hit a go-ahead, two-run single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning that sent Miami over the Colorado Rockies 5-3 in a matchup of NL wild-card contenders.

After a throwing error by Gordon helped the Rockies score three times in the eighth, the Marlins bounced back.

''To be able to come back and pick someone up - this is why we're playing a game as a team,'' Prado said. ''That's the mentality we're creating with this group of guys.''

Miami ended a three-game losing skid and stayed even with St. Louis for the second wild-card spot, with Colorado falling four games behind.

''It's fun,'' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ''We're trying to win every day, (the Rockies) need to win every day - we're very similar clubs in my mind that we're both experiencing a shot at getting in the playoffs for the first time in a while.''

Marlins pinch-hitter Ichiro Suzuki struck out on three pitches and remained two hits away from 3,000. He is in an 0-for-11 slump.

The first three Marlins reached base in the ninth as Adeiny Hechavarria's RBI single cut the lead to 3-2 against closer Carlos Estevez (2-6). Prado singled with the bases loaded and Christian Yelich added a sacrifice fly.

''My fastball wasn't there, my command wasn't there,'' Estevez said. ''Every pitch I throw I want to have my command. Today I didn't.''

Brian Ellington (2-1) finished out the eighth and A.J. Ramos recorded his 32nd save in 34 chances.

DJ LeMahieu had four hits for Colorado. Carlos Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 16 games and David Dahl hit safely in his 11th consecutive game in the majors.

The Rockies took a 3-1 lead in the eighth. LeMahieu scored from second to tie the game when Nolan Arenado hit into a forceout and Gordon threw a potential double-play ball into the stands.

Dahl lined an RBI single off Fernando Rodney and Mark Reynolds extended the lead with a double. Dahl is hitting .356 since making his debut.

''These losses are always frustrating,'' Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

David Phelps, the Marlins' reliable relief pitcher, threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings in his first start of the season.

Jorge De La Rosa gave up four hits and one run over six strong innings. He's had a quality start in eight of his last nine outings.

Gordon stole his 10th base of the season and Giancarlo Stanton drove him home with a double to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

ICHIRO'S QUEST

Suzuki didn't start Friday and manager Don Mattingly said there was no concrete decision on when the outfielder would be back in the lineup.

''No real plans,'' Mattingly said. ''I look at the matchups and I look at our guys. With the (Sunday) day game, it could be a better chance, but it really would depend on how (Marcell) Ozuna looks and how Giancarlo (Stanton) looks.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: 1B Justin Bour (ankle) will not to return from the 15-day disabled until after the Marlins complete their three-game series in Colorado. ... RHP Bryan Morris (back), who is on the 60-day DL, will not return to the Marlins until September at the earliest, Mattingly said.

Rockies: Gonzalez started after missing Thursday with a sprained left ankle. ... Daniel Descalso (shoulder) returned to the lineup after he went head-first into the wall Thursday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-7, 4.54 ERA) held the Cardinals to two runs in six strong innings in his Marlins debut.

Colorado: RHP Chad Bettis (9-6, 5.16 ERA) was 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA in July.