Marlins hold Mets to four hits in win

The Florida Marlins busted out of their batting slump. The sputtering New York Mets could only watch with envy.

Dan Uggla drove in four runs with two homers for the Marlins, who went deep four times and beat visiting New York, 7-2, last night.

Chris Coghlan hit the first homer by a lefthanded batter for Florida this season, and Gaby Sanchez also homered. The Marlins totaled more than four runs for the first time in 10 games and scored first for only the second time in the past 14, building a 7-0 lead.

"It's definitely encouraging to put together some good at-bats, put some runs on the board and hit some home runs," Uggla said. "It's a lot more fun than waiting until the sixth or seventh inning to score."

All the homers came off a struggling Oliver Perez, matching his career high. He had given up only one previously this season.

Meanwhile, the Mets' offense continued to misfire. New York managed only four hits and two runs against Anibal Sanchez (2-2), who pitched seven innings and struck out seven.

Even before the game, New York manager Jerry Manuel was threatening to shake up a lineup filled with slumping hitters. David Wright struck out twice and has 20 strikeouts in his past 41 at-bats. Jose Reyes went 0-for-4 to drop to .215. Jeff Francoeur went 0-for-4 and is batting .132 since April 16.

"We're not swinging the bats the way we're capable of," Wright said. "It's one of those stretches. We've got to just fight our way through it. It just takes one or two of those big hits and hope that everybody starts falling in line."

Perez (0-3) might lose his spot in the rotation. He lasted only 3 1/3 innings for the second start in a row, allowed all seven Florida runs and remained winless since Aug. 18.

"He was leaving balls over the plate," Mets catcher Rod Barajas said. "At this level, you've got to be able to locate your pitches. Those guys can hit. They're extremely talented, and if you make mistakes and throw the ball over the heart of the plate, you're going to get hit pretty hard."

In other games:

* At Atlanta, Martin Prado's bases-loaded bloop single drove in two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Braves to a 6-5 win over Arizona, extending the Diamondbacks' bullpen woes.

Arizona closer Chad Qualls (0-2) couldn't hold a 5-4 lead in the ninth. It was his third blown save in nine chances, and the Diamondbacks' bullpen is only 7-for-15 in save opportunities.

* At Chicago, Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones both homered and set career highs with five hits each, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 10-6 victory over the Cubs, who took their eighth loss in 10 games.

* At Cincinnati, Albert Pujols ended the St. Louis Cardinals' longest homer drought in 3 years with a two-run shot that landed in the front row, and lefthander Jaime Garcia pitched into the seventh inning, beating the Reds, 4-3.

* At Denver, rain washed out the scheduled game between Washington and Colorado. It will be made up today in a day-night doubleheader.

* Astros ace Roy Oswalt said he would waive the full no-trade clause in his contract if Houston wants to try to shop him this season - though the righthander insists he would like to stay with the Astros and help them win.

* Brewers Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker is doing well after heart surgery 2 weeks ago and said he might resume calling home games next month after his heart surgery.