Denver, CO – Anibal Sanchez accomplished something he hasn't - earn a victory -- by pitching the Florida Marlins past 5.
Sanchez (7-6) was winless in 11 starts after starting the year on a 6-1 tear. On Tuesday, he got back into the win column with a solid eight-inning showing.
The right-hander gave up five hits and three runs -- on homers by Troy Tulowitzki, Seth Smith and Carlos Gonzalez -- while striking out seven and walking two.
Sanchez had to survive Leo Nunez's shaky ninth to celebrate his first win since June 10. Nunez, who blew a ninth-inning lead in the opener of this three-game series on Monday, surrendered a two-run homer to pinch-hitter Jason Giambi to make it a one-run game.
Ty Wigginton followed Giambi's two-out blast with a single, but Nunez induced a game-ending pop out from Dexter Fowler to log his 33rd save of the season.
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