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Marlins rough up Pelfrey again as Mets fall out of first place

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07/31/2008 - Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Johnson pitched into the seventh inning for his first victory since August of 2006, and the Marlins dealt Mike Pelfrey his first loss in over two months with a 7-5 triumph over the New York Mets in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Johnson (1-0), who missed most of last season due to a right arm injury and had been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, allowed eight hits and four runs over 6 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander also had two walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Cody Ross hit a two-run triple to highlight a five-run fourth inning, and Dan Uggla added an insurance two-run homer in the eighth for the Marlins, winners in four of their last six games.

"Definitely a big game for us," said Ross. "Our goal was to win the series. We got the first one (game) out of the way and then tonight we got some timely hitting when we needed it. It's a big win for us, all around."

Kevin Gregg gave up a run in the ninth inning, but with two men on base the right-hander retired Jose Reyes on a fly ball to left field to record his 23rd save of the season.

Florida's win came on the eve of Major League Baseball's non-waiver trading deadline with reports swirling that the Marlins were in talks with the Red Sox to acquire slugger Manny Ramirez. It also came with Florida's inching closer to first place in the NL East.

Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida has been mentioned in those trade rumors, as the potential for a three-way deal, also reportedly involving the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I've heard them, but rumors are rumors until something happens," Hermida said. "So you take it for what it's worth and deal with something if it happens."

New York's loss, combined with Philadelphia's triumph at Washington, moved the Phillies atop the division. The Mets are a half-game behind, while the Marlins are 1 1/2 contests out of first.

Pelfrey (9-7) was charged with eight hits and five runs over four innings. Since falling to the Marlins on May 26, an outing in which he gave up six runs -- four earned -- on six hits over four innings to cap a six-start losing streak, Pelfrey had gone 7-0 with a 2.57 earned run average in 11 starts, with New York going 10-1 in that span. That streak came to a crashing halt Wednesday night.

"I got away from executing pitches," Pelfrey said. "I couldn't even get the pitcher out tonight. When you have nights like that you're not going to win."

Damion Easley belted a pinch-hit three-run homer for the Mets, who suffered only their second series loss (7-2-3) in their last 12 tries. Marlon Anderson had three hits and scored twice.

Reyes scored on a David Wright double-play ball in the first inning, but the Mets failed to capitalize, grounding into two more double plays over the next two frames.

The Marlins then got to Pelfrey in the big fourth inning. Hermida tripled to start the inning, and Jorge Cantu followed with a base hit to center. Josh Willingham singled, but after Pelfrey retired the next two batters, Ross tripled to right field. John Baker and Johnson then hit consecutive RBI doubles.

Easley laced a 2-0 pitch over the wall in left field to spell the end of Johnson's night, and Renyel Pinto finished up the seventh before Joe Nelson had a pair of strikeouts in a 1-2-3 eighth.

Willingham walked to start the bottom of that inning, and Uggla smacked his 26th homer of the year, a shot to left off Joe Smith.

Gregg fanned the first two batters of the ninth, but then stumbled a bit as Anderson, Brian Schneider and pinch-hitter Ramon Castro had consecutive base hits to account for a run before Reyes was retired to end the game.

Game Notes

Uggla has 84 career homers, which breaks the major league record for most by a second baseman in his first three seasons. Joe Gordon hit 83 with the New York Yankees from 1938-40...Prior to Wednesday's game, the Marlins sent right- handed pitcher Daniel Barone outright to Triple-A Albuquerque....Righty Anibal Sanchez will start Thursday for the Marlins when they host Colorado. Sanchez, who has been out due to right shoulder surgery, will be reinstated from 60-day disabled list and will make his first start at the big league level since May 2, 2007...New York's next game will mark a return for Pedro Martinez as he starts Friday night at Houston. Martinez has not pitched since July 12 when he aggravated a groin injury in a start against the Rockies. The team then placed the righty on the bereavement list when Martinez's father, Pablo, lost his battle with brain cancer...Johnson is 3-0 in four career starts against the Mets.