MLB: Florida 8, Atlanta 7

MIAMI, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Wes Helms hit a one-out home run in the ninth inning Wednesday in lifting the Florida Marlins to an 8-7 victory over Atlanta.

The Marlins let a 7-3 lead get away in the late innings before Helms came through with a blast that moved Florida within a game of Atlanta for second place in the National League West.

Atlanta fell four games behind Colorado in the National League wild-card race. Florida is five games back.

The Braves rallied on a three-run double by Chipper Jones in the seventh and a solo homer by Yunel Escobar in the ninth.

Mike Gonzalez (3-4) came on in the bottom of the ninth to try to get the game into extra innings and he retired leadoff man Jorge Cantu on a popup to the catcher. Helms then worked the count full before driving his homer to left.

Florida won in its last at bat for the 17th time this season.

Leo Nunez (4-4), the sixth Florida pitcher of the game, got the win despite giving up the home run to Escobar.