Sep 16, 2006, 2:35 GMT
Atlanta, GA - Dan Uggla belted a two-run home run to lead the Florida Marlins past the Atlanta Braves, 6-4, at Turner Field.
Uggla's home run was his 25th of the season, setting the major league record for most home runs by a rookie second baseman in a season.
Florida starter Dontrelle Willis (11-11) pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. The left-hander also struck out six and walked two. Joe Borowski pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 34th save of the season.
The Marlins moved to within 2 1/2 games of San Diego for the top spot in the NL wild card race.
Lance Cormier (3-5) started for Atlanta and was roughed up for six runs -- four earned -- on six hits in just two innings of work.
Marcus Giles finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three runs batted in for the Braves, who have dropped four of their last five games overall.
The Marlins jumped on Cormier and the Braves early, scoring four runs in the first inning. Hanley Ramirez doubled to lead off the game and scored with one out on Miguel Cabrera's double to center. Josh Willingham followed with a walk and with two outs, Cody Ross singled to right as Jeff Francoeur let the ball slip past his glove all the way to the wall, letting Cabrera, Willingham and Ross all score to make it 4-0.
'I didn't start the game off well for us,' said Francoeur. 'I set the tone in a bad way and didn't help the team out.'
Giles hit a home run to lead off the home half of the first to get Atlanta on the board and make it 4-1.
Willis drew a one out walk in the second and Uggla belted a home run into the seats in left field with two outs to extend Florida's lead to 6-1.
'They come to play everyday,' said Willis. 'Even when we scored the runs early, I still kept my focus because they have a high-powered offense. I wanted to keep the momentum on our side.'
Atlanta scored two runs in the second to cut its deficit in half. Martin Prado singled to start things and pinch-hitter Tony Pena singled with out. Giles followed with a double to plate Prado and Pena and make it 6-3.
Willis then kept Atlanta off the scoreboard until the eighth inning. Edgar Renteria doubled to right-center field and scored on a one-out double by Andruw Jones to make it 6-4. That was it for Willis as Taylor Tankersley came into the game.
Francoeur greeted Tankersley with an infield single and with Brian McCann at the plate, a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Tankersley went on to strike out McCann as well as Prado to end the inning.
Borowski pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the victory for the Marlins.
Game Notes
Cabrera finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for the Marlins.Atlanta's bullpen combined to pitch seven scoreless innings.Both teams had 10 hits.Alfredo Amezaga stole two bases for Florida and has 16 on the season.
Cabrera finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for the Marlins.
Atlanta's bullpen combined to pitch seven scoreless innings.
Both teams had 10 hits.
Alfredo Amezaga stole two bases for Florida and has 16 on the season.
© 2006 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story