McKeon Officially Leaves the Marlins

When Florida Marlin Manager Jack McKeon told his players Sunday he was calling it quits, they responded with applause and hugs -- and then a comeback victory.

Rookie Jeremy Hermida hit a two-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, and Juan Pierre’s two-out run-scoring single in the 10th beat the playoff-bound Atlanta Braves, 7-6, at Miami.

McKeon’s resignation had been expected, and he confirmed it to the team before the game.

“He got very emotional when he told us, like your granddad is going away and you’re not going to see him anymore,” veteran Jeff Conine said. “It’s tough for him. Baseball is his life.”

McKeon led the Marlins to the 2003 World Series title and a winning record in each of his three seasons as manager. Now 74, he said he told his family last year that this season would be his last, and he decided almost two months ago to keep that pledge. But he didn’t rule out managing again.

“The last couple of years I haven’t had as much fun as I’d like,” McKeon said. “Since I’m the leader, I’ll take full responsibility for the poor year we had.”

Colorado 11, New York 3 -- Greeted by standing ovations in all three of his at-bats, Mike Piazza was hitless in what was probably his final game as a Met at Shea Stadium.

Philadelphia 9, Washington 3 -- Jimmy Rollins stretched his hitting streak to 36 games at Washington, but the Phillies fell one game short of Houston in the wild-card race.

St. Louis 7, Cincinnati 5 -- Reggie Sanders warmed up for the playoffs with a home run at St. Louis to help the Cardinals post their 100th victory.

San Francisco 3, Arizona 1 -- The host Giants ended a five-game losing streak.

Pittsburgh 3, Milwaukee 1 -- Rookie Zach Duke (8-2) won, but the visiting Brewers (81-81) had their first non-losing season since going 92-70 in 1992.