NEWS » r former 1,000-yard rusher, LeGarrette

SAN FRANCISCO -- Drenched in all kinds of liquids poured out of a beat-up bucket that teammates conjured up in the clubhouse, Tom Koehler never felt better as a major league pitcher. Pinch hitter Marcell Ozunas two-run single gave Koehler his first victory in nine career starts, and the Miami Marlins rallied past the San Francisco Giants 2-1 Thursday night. "I smell like a bar," Koehler said. "Other than the day I met my wife, this is probably the happiest moment of my life. Definitely the happiest baseball moment." In his first career pinch-hit appearance, Ozunas line drive to right field in the eighth inning off reliever Jeremy Affeldt (1-3) ended Koehlers run of futility. After six appearances in the bullpen, Koehler (1-5) had been winless in seven starts this season -- and took the loss in his lone start last year -- for the worst team in the majors. He hugged Ozuna in the dugout following the hit that flipped the score. Koehler also had the game ball in his locker -- soon to be resting on the mantle in his "man cave" back home, he said -- that Steve Cishek handed to him after recording his 11th save in the ninth. The right-handers victory ended the third-longest winless streak to start a career in Marlins history, behind Marc Valdezs nine-start stretch from 1995-96 and Kevin Olsens 12-start streak from 2001-02, according to STATS. "It definitely didnt weigh on my confidence, but to say I didnt think about it would be a lie," Koehler said. "Every time I went out there I wanted to win the game. I was wondering what it would take to do it." Giants starter Chad Gaudin tossed 4 1-3 scoreless innings, but he left the game after taking a hard line drive off his right throwing elbow. The team said he had a bruised elbow. Far more concerning for the Giants was the status of centre fielder Angel Pagan, who was on a rehab assignment with Class-A San Jose. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Pagan injured his leg running to first base and was carted off the field. Bochy said more information on Pagans injury would come Friday. One of the few good moments for San Francisco came when Joaquin Arias extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI triple in the seventh. Koehler kept the Giants off the scoreboard otherwise. He didnt even allow a hit until Gregor Blancos one-out single in the sixth. He struck out three, walked three and allowed three hits. "He was really happy," Ozuna said. San Francisco seems to be hounded by unfortunate injuries of late. Gaudin took a line drive from Derek Dietrich off his elbow, fielded the ball and threw him out for the first out of the fifth inning. Gaudin grimaced as he paced around the mound, then he took a couple practice pitches before coming out. Gaudin gave up two hits and two walks while striking out one. He was making just his fourth start of the season since entering the rotation for the injured Ryan Vogelsong. "It didnt hit bone at all, just muscle," Gaudin said. "Its a little sore but there are no breaks or anything. It hurt. It hit square on top of the elbow. Its frustrating but something I cant control. Ill just deal with it." It also was the second straight game the Marlins had taken out an opposing pitcher. Arizonas Trevor Cahill left in the first inning after a line drive from Ozuna bruised his right hip in Miamis 3-1 loss Wednesday. The only blemish on Koehlers first victory came when Belt hit a two-out double in the seventh, sliding in safely when right fielder Giancarlo Stantons throw sailed wide. Arias followed with an RBI triple in the right-centre field gap. Sandy Rosario was taken out after 2 1-3 innings when he walked Justin Ruggiano leading off the eighth. Ozuna later lined a two-out, two-run single to right on an 0-2 count against Affeldt to give the Marlins the lead. The rookie had never pinch hit in the majors before. "Hes a pretty good pinch hitter," Marlins manager Mike Redmond quipped. NOTES: The Marlins have won eight in a row at AT&T Park since July 28, 2010. ... Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval, on the disabled list since June 9 with a strained left foot, will join Class-A San Jose on a rehab assignment Friday -- a day earlier than originally expected. He will likely join the Giants in Los Angeles on Monday. ... The Giants announced that Joseph Zito, the father of pitcher Barry Zito, died Wednesday in Van Nuys, Calif., at age 84. The cause of death was not disclosed. Zito, who said in a statement his fathers death "has presented me with a difficulty I could not predict," was the first pitcher on the field for batting practice Thursday. He will still make his next start Saturday. ... Ozuna, mired in a 1-for-20 slump, wasnt in the starting lineup off for the first time since being called up from Double-A Jacksonville on April 30. ... The Marlins send Ricky Nolasco (4-7, 3.61 ERA) to the mound Friday and the Giants counter with Tim Lincecum (4-7, 4.57 ERA).TAMPA, Fla. -- Former 1,000-yard rusher Peyton Hillis is hoping a change of scenery will help him get a once-promising NFL career back on track. The sixth-year pro signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month and is competing for a job to play behind Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin. Hillis rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and scored 13 touchdowns for Cleveland in 2010, however he hasnt been nearly as productive over the past two seasons with the Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. Martin ran for more than 1,400 yards as a rookie in 2012, but the Bucs dont have an established backup. They are giving Hillis, another veteran Brian Leonard and rookie Mike James a chance to earn the role. "Im here, trying to do the best that I can," Hillis said. "Ive been humbled over the past couple of years, and Im just happy to be in a place they want me to be and a place where I can try to produce again." Hillis entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick in 2008 and started eight games in two seasons with the Denver Broncos. He moved to Cleveland three years old ago and flourished in a featured role with the Browns, rushing for 1,177 yards and catching 61 passes for another 477 yards. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound running back became a fan favourite during his breakout season and was selected to appear on the cover of the next years Madden video game. His career has been in decline ever since. Injuries have been a factor. And at least one former teammate, Cleveland offensive tackle Joe Thomas, was quoted last season as saying Hillis performance with the Browns slipped after the running back -- eager to capitalize on his success from the previous year -- put his desire for a new contract before the team. Hillis said his focus is on the future, trying to earn a job with the Bucs -- not what happened in Cleveland in 2011 or last year in Kansas City, where the 27-year-old played behind three-time 1,000-yard rusher Jamaal Charles and averaged a career-low 3..dddddddddddd.6 yards per carry while running for 309 yards and one TD. "Some things in life theres no rhyme or reason. I just try to take one step at a time and try to re-evaluate the situation," Hillis said. "I cant go back to my past and change things. I can only move forward. Thats what Im going to do." Hillis is listed behind Martin, Leonard and James,, a sixth-round draft pick, on the depth chart for Thursdays preseason opener against Baltimore. Coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik were drawn to the running backs size, as well as the success he enjoyed with Cleveland. Hillis started 23 games over two seasons with the Browns, rushing for 1,764 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns -- 14 of them on the ground. "I liked the way he played, and so did Mark. We felt like he was a good fit for us right now with our running back and fullback situation. Hes a guy who brings some versatility to the position. He can be the ball carrier, I think he can block. Hes a bigger back," Schiano said. If he makes the team, Hillis could wind up playing a role similar to one filled a year ago by another former 1,000-yard rusher, LeGarrette Blount, who carried 41 times for 151 yards as Martins backup. Blount was traded to New England this spring, leaving the Bucs in the market for a big back such as Hillis, and even the 225-pound Leonard, who signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent after spending the past four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. "Hes done it in this league, and I think we needed to create quality depth," Schiano said. "We have our guy in Doug, but we need to create quality depth and we need to create competition as well." Hillis, whos still learning the playbook, is excited about the opportunity. "Im out here learning a little bit of everything -- tailback, fullback ... a little bit of everything," he said. "Hopefully I will be able to establish myself and help this team win." ' ' '