Major League Baseball

Marlins 7, Giants 6

Published May. 26, 2012 4:36 a.m. ET

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Steve Cishek turned ninth-inning jeers to cheers, and all he had to do was strike out major league hits leader Melky Cabrera to end the game.

Cishek earned his first save of the year after struggling All-Star closer Heath Bell blew another one Friday night, and the Miami Marlins held on to beat the San Francisco Giants 7-6.

''It's the ultimate adrenaline-rush situation,'' Cishek said. ''It's something you always dream about doing.''

Bell entered in the ninth with a three-run lead but drew boos when he gave up three hits. Manager Ozzie Guillen yanked him with one out, runners at second and third and the Marlins clinging to a 7-5 lead.

''I had a gut feeling he's not throwing well,'' Guillen said. ''He gets paid to close games, I get paid to win games. It's a very hard, uncomfortable move. Your closer is your closer, but from the beginning I didn't feel comfortable with it. I needed a different look. But he's going to be back there as my closer tomorrow.''

Chris Coghlan put the Marlins ahead to stay when he snapped out of a season-long slump with a tiebreaking three-run homer off Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning. Coghlan, who has shuttled between the Marlins and the minors since winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2009, was batting .104 when he hit his first home run since last June 11.

''I don't even know what I'm hitting. I just know it's not good,'' Coghlan said. ''You don't think about those things. Every time you step in the box you try to feel like you're hitting 1.000.''

Giancarlo Stanton became the first player to hit the Marlins' home run sculpture when he connected against Lincecum (2-5). The Giants' right-hander gave up six runs in 5 2-3 innings, which hiked his ERA to 6.41. He's 0-3 in his past five starts.

''If I could just eliminate that one bad inning, wherever it falls, that's the big thing,'' Lincecum said. ''It has to do with being focused and being locked in on every pitch.''

The Marlins improved to 17-7 this month, best in the majors, and broke the franchise record for victories in May.

Bell nearly let it slip away, blowing a save for the fifth time in 12 chances. He allowed two runs, hiking his ERA to 8.10.

Scattered boos began when Bell gave up a leadoff double to Joaquin Arias. By the time he left the game, fans were hooting were at top volume.

''They want to win, and if somebody is not doing well, they're going to let you know it,'' Bell said. ''I like that. That means the crowd is into it and they're passionate about their team and they care about wins and losses.''

Bell had no complaint about being pulled by Guillen, either.

''This year I just haven't proven that I can get out of jams,'' he said. ''Ozzie went with Shek, and it worked out.''

After Brandon Crawford hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-6, Cishek fell behind Cabrera 3-1. The side-winding right-hander then threw consecutive sliders for called strikes and the victory.

''He made some quality pitches and won that battle,'' Cabrera said through an interpreter.

Cabrera, who came into the game leading the majors with 67 hits, pulled his third homer of the season just inside the right field foul pole. He also tripled and is batting .363.

The Giants outhit Miami 14-7 but went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

Dan Jennings (1-0) pitched a perfect sixth for his first major league win hours after being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.

Lincecum took a 3-1 lead into the sixth but failed to make it through the inning. After the Marlins loaded the bases, John Buck's sacrifice fly tied the game. Coghlan then pulled an 0-1 pitch over the fence, ending Lincecum's night.

Despite his struggles, Lincecum hadn't given up a homer in 50 1-3 innings until Stanton connected in the fourth inning. The ball landed in the base of the sculpture for the Marlins' first run.

The home run was the 10th this month for Stanton, and his 11th of the season.

''It's incredible, his ability to hit the ball,'' Cabrera said. ''He has amazing power.''

NOTES: The crowd of 27,123 included Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, whose team begins the NBA Eastern Conference finals two miles from the ballpark Monday. ... Aubrey Huff had a single and improved to 6 for 12 (.500) against Marlins starter Josh Johnson. ... In his past 13 home games, Stanton is batting .373 (19 for 51) with five home runs. ... The Giants committed two errors and have 49 this season, most in the majors.

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