Sep 16, 2007, 3:38 GMT
Denver, CO - Miguel Cabrera put another dent in Colorado's fading playoff hopes with his first career grand slam, helping the Florida Marlins beat up on the Rockies, 10-2, in the second contest of a three-game series at Coors Field.
Cabrera ended 3-for-5 with a season-high five RBI, while Miguel Olivio chipped in with a pair of doubles, knocking in three runs for the Marlins, who have won four straight games and continue to play the role of spoiler in the National League playoff race.
Logan Kensing (1-0) earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief after Sergio Mitre failed to halt a seven-start winless drought, allowing one run and five hits with four walks over 4 2/3 innings.
Garrett Atkins had two hits and Yorvit Torrealba chipped in with an RBI double for Colorado, which has dropped three straight and four of its last six games. The Rockies also fell 4 1/2 behind San Diego in the NL wild card standings after the Padres beat the Giants, 6-0, on Saturday.
'The last few nights have been tough, but we're not going to give up,' said Atkins. 'We're going to try to get as many wins as we can, and not worry about what other teams are doing.'
Rookie right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4) lasted only three innings in the start for Colorado. He took the loss by yielding five runs -- two earned -- on five hits. Jimenez walked four batters and fanned five, throwing just 38 of his 69 pitches for strikes.
The Marlins scored twice in the first. Hanley Ramirez drew a lead-off walk, then stole second and third before scoring on Jeremy Hermida's triple to the gap in right-center. Cabrera followed with a base hit to right, plating Hermida to make it 2-0.
Florida added three more in the third, as Hermida reached on Jimenez's error, stole second and scored on Josh Willingham's double. Mike Jacobs then drew an intentional walk and Olivo followed with a two-run double to make it 5-0.
Colorado finally hit the scoreboard in the fifth to make it a 5-1 game. Pinch-hitter Clint Barmes hit a two-out single, went to third on Cory Sullivan's base hit and scored on a wild pitch.
The Fish, however, broke it open in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Reggie Abercrombie was hit by a pitch with one out, Ramirez singled and a two-out walk to Hermida loaded the bases for Cabrera, who mashed a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right- center for a grand slam.
'Oh man. I'm excited,' said Cabrera. 'That's the first one I got in my career, and I got the ball!'
The Rockies made it 9-2 in the eighth when Brad Hawpe reached on Alejandro De Aza's fielding error and scored on Torrealba's double to left.
Olivo added a run-scoring double in the ninth to finish the rout.
Game Notes
Cabrera's blast travelled an estimated 438 feet...Cabrera cracked the 100 RBI mark in the first inning, becoming the third-youngest player in baseball history with four straight 100 RBI seasons...Colorado has dropped consecutive home games for just the second time since the beginning of June. They also lost two straight at Coors Field on August 22-23 against Pittsburgh...Mitre is 0-3 in his last eight starts...Ramirez had three of Florida's season-high five stolen bases.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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