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Sep 11, 2009 9:36 am US/Eastern
Marlins Torch Mets In New York
NEW YORK (CBS4) ―
On the same day that the new Marlins stadium saw concrete laid on one of the columns in the stadium, the Marlins themselves poured it on the Mets 13-4 as they continue to chase the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins were paced by Nick Johnson who knocked in pair of two-run singles in the game.
Since returning from a right hamstring strain on Sept. 3, Johnson has at least one hit in each of his six games and has driven in nine runs despite noticeably struggling on the bases.
"It's been a while for me but this is what it's all about," Johnson said about being in a playoff race. "I'm not pushing it. Even though I'm feeling better out there I'm just trying to keep the speed and go from first to third at that speed, do the treatment and try to stay out there."
Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross each had three hits and two RBIs for the Marlins, who completed their first sweep of the Mets since taking four straight Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004, in New York. Uggla hit his 27th homer in the third inning.
Florida has enjoyed its September trips to New York the last couple years. Spoilers in 2007 and '08, the Marlins twice dashed the Mets' playoff hopes on the last day with victories. This year they came to the Big Apple with postseason aspirations of their own.
The Marlins wrapped up a 5-1 trip and moved within five games of Philadelphia, which lost 8-7 at Washington. They also remained 5 1/2 back of the wild card-leading Rockies with 22 games remaining, including six against the Phillies.
The Mets (62-78) fell 16 games under .500 for the first time since finishing 71-91 in 2004. Playing in front of a Citi Field crowd that was about half the announced attendance of 37,620, the Mets showed why they've come apart this season.
Bobby Parnell walked consecutive batters with the bases loaded after an error by shortstop Anderson Hernandez and Angel Pagan forgot how many outs there were while running the bases. Luis Castillo had another adventure at second base and New York pitchers didn't have a 1-2-3 inning until the ninth.
The Mets held a 30-minute meeting following batting practice then fell behind quickly. The Marlins led 3-0 by the time the 19-minute, 40-pitch first inning was over.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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