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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:11 a.m., Sunday, August 31, 2008

MLB: Pedro Martinez helps Mets beat Marlins 6-2

By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI — Pedro Martinez pitched six innings for only his second victory since July 7, and the New York Mets homered three times to beat the Florida Marlins 6-2 today.

Back-to-back home runs in the third inning by Nick Evans and David Wright put the Mets ahead to stay. Carlos Beltran added his 21st homer.

The first two batters to face Martinez scored, but those were the only runs he allowed. Martinez (5-3) gave up seven hits but only one walk.

New York's shaky bullpen managed to protect a four-run lead, with five relievers combining to shut out Florida over the final three innings. Aaron Heilman, who walked in the winning run Saturday, stranded two runners to end the seventh. Shortstop Jose Reyes made a diving catch of Jorge Cantu's liner with two on to end the game.

Scott Olsen (6-9) gave up six runs in 6 1-3 innings and fell to 0-5 in eight starts since July 19.

The defeat meant that for only the second time in Marlins history, they went an entire month without back-to-back victories. They were 11-17 in August and fell seven games behind NL East leader New York.

The Mets began the day with a one-game lead over Philadelphia.

Martinez earned his 214th career win despite a rough start. Hanley Ramirez reached on a single to begin the first inning, took second on a wild pitch and came home on a double by Luis Gonzalez. A groundout and sacrifice fly by Mike Jacobs put the Marlins ahead 2-0.

Martinez stranded two runners in the second and again in the third before settling down to retire the final eight batters he faced.

Beltran homered leading off the second. Evans hit his first career home run for a 2-all tie, and two pitches later, Wright hit his 27th homer.

Olsen has allowed 27 home runs this season.

New York added three runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Reyes and pinch hitter Ryan Church, and a sacrifice fly by Beltran.