Nen Blows Save, but Giants Rally

When Robb Nen took the mound in Miami for the first time since Game 7 of the World Series, he received a big ovation from the small crowd. Then came trouble.

Nen blew a save in his first game against his former club, but teammate Rich Aurilia’s home run ignited a six-run 10th inning, and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Florida Marlins, 8-2, Tuesday night.

Nen (4-1), traded in November as part of Florida’s payroll purge, earned the victory even though he failed to hold a 2-0 lead. He loaded the bases with none out in the ninth, and Jeff Kent’s error at second allowed two runs to score.

The blown save was Nen’s first for the Giants after four saves.

“I started pressing a little bit and walking guys,” Nen said. “This wasn’t the way I wanted it. I wanted the save. But I went out and geeked up. That’s the way it happens sometimes.”

Aurilia, who entered as part of a double switch in the ninth, led off the 10th with his third homer, all in the last three games. It came against Vic Darensbourg (0-3).

Kent’s RBI double off Jay Powell made the score 4-2. J.T. Snow added a three-run double, and the final run scored on an error.

Nen, the Marlins’ closer for four years, retired the side in order in the 10th to complete a three-hitter.

“You’re not going to win many games when you get three hits in 10 innings,” Marlin Manager Jim Leyland said. “But we had a shot.”

Florida’s rally prevented Orel Hershiser from getting his first National League victory since 1994. Hershiser, pounded twice by Florida while pitching for Cleveland in last year’s World Series, this time gave up only two hits in six shutout innings.

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NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Florida Marlins

WHERE: at Florida

WHEN: Thursday, 4 p.m.

Friday, 4 p.m.

Saturday, 4 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m.