May 10, 2008 10:39 pm US/Eastern
Uggla, Marlins Slam Nationals 11-0
Starter Miller Pitches Best Outing Of Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) ―
Dan Uggla drove in five runs, Andrew Miller allowed two hits in seven innings and the Florida Marlins routed the Washington Nationals 11-0 on Saturday night for their sixth straight win.
The Marlins' winning streak is their longest since they won nine in a row from Aug. 20-29, 2005. Florida (22-14) is eight games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 18, 2005.
Florida chased Mike O'Connor (1-1) -- making his first start since Sept. 28, 2006 -- during a seven-run fourth inning highlighted by Uggla's fourth career grand slam.
Miller (3-2) gave up singles in the first to Cristian Guzman and sixth to Felipe Lopez. He struck out seven and walked one. He equaled career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts in winning his third straight decision.
Taylor Tankersley worked the eighth and Matt Lindstrom got three outs to complete the three-hitter. It was the Nationals' NL-best fifth shutout of the season.
O'Connor's woes started on his very first pitch when Cody Ross drilled his second home run of the year deep into the left-field stands.
The Marlins scored two runs in the third. Ross scored on a wild pitch and Uggla hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Hanley Ramirez, who is close to finalizing a new contract with the team.
Wes Helms led off Florida's big fourth with his second home run of the year to make it 4-0. Jeremy Hermida singled in a run, Ross scored on reliever Joel Hanrahan's wild pitch and Uggla went deep for his ninth homer of the season.
Hermida also had an RBI single in the eighth.
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