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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 9, 2009

Marlins wrap up sweep of Nationals

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Dan Uggla

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MIAMI — Even to Dan Uggla, the Florida Marlins' numbers are a bit surprising.

Uggla hit a tiebreaking three-run double, Chris Volstad was almost flawless after a shaky first inning, and the Marlins beat the Washington Nationals, 6-4, yesterday to complete an opening three-game sweep.

Florida scored 26 runs in the series, and the Marlins' starters went 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA.

"Everyone in this division, this league knows the kind of hitters that we have in this clubhouse," Uggla said. "Are we going to score 8-10 runs a game? Odds are, no. ... But we've got guys up and down the lineup that can swing the bats."

John Baker added a pair of run-scoring singles for the Marlins in support of Volstad (1-0), who struck out a career-high seven, allowing two runs — one earned — and two hits in five innings.

PHILLIES 12, BRAVES 11:

Four batters walked with the bases loaded during an eight-run bottom of the seventh inning and Philadelphia rallied from a 10-3 deficit to avoid a three-game sweep to Atlanta.

ROCKIES 9, DIAMONDBACKS 2:

Dexter Fowler, Yorvit Torrealba and Ian Stewart homered and Franklin Morales (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in six innings before being optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to lead visiting Colorado.

METS 9, REDS 7:

Carlos Delgado homered and drove in four runs, and Francisco Rodriguez pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the ninth inning to go 2-for-2 in save chances for New York.

CUBS 11, ASTROS 6:

Aramis Ramirez and Mike Fontenot drove in four runs apiece, and Kosuke Fukudome had four hits and scored four runs to lead visiting Chicago over Houston, which hit five home runs.

PIRATES 7, CARDINALS 4:

Zach Duke (1-0) beat St. Louis for the first time since 2006, allowing three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, and Freddy Sanchez went 4-for-5 for his third straight multi-hit game to open the year for visiting Pittsburgh.

DODGERS 5, PADRES 2:

Manny Ramirez hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning and Chad Billingsley and three relievers combined on a three-hitter to beat San Diego.

BREWERS 4, GIANTS 2:

Yovani Gallardo gave up two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings, and also hit a three-run homer off Randy Johnson as visiting Milwaukee spoiled the Big Unit's debut with San Francisco.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ORIOLES 7, YANKEES 5:

Koji Uehara allowed one run and five hits over five innings in his major league debut, Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs, and host Baltimore beat New York.

RAYS 7, RED SOX 2:

Scott Kazmir (1-0) allowed one run and five hits over six innings and Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer after striking out in his first five at-bats this season, giving AL champion Tampa Bay its first win of the season.

TIGERS 5, BLUE JAYS 1:

Miguel Cabrera homered twice, Brandon Inge homered for the third straight game, and Zach Miner (1-0) allowed one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings to lead visiting Detroit past Toronto.

ROYALS 2, WHITE SOX 0:

Zack Greinke (1-0) pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning and Mike Aviles doubled and scored in the third inning, then singled and scored in the fifth to help visiting Kansas City.

TWINS 6, MARINERS 5:

Justin Morneau homered and drove in three runs, Denard Span hit a two-run homer, and Jason Kubel hit the go-ahead RBI double in the fifth inning as host Minnesota beat Seattle.

RANGERS 8, INDIANS 5:

Nelson Cruz hit two solo homers and drove in three runs, rookie Elvis Andrus hit his first homer, and Vicente Padilla (1-0) allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings to lead host Texas.

ATHLETICS 6, ANGELS 4:

Pinch-hitter Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Ellis and Matt Holliday hit RBI singles with two outs in the top of the ninth inning off new Angels closer Brian Fuentes, rallying Oakland past Los Angeles.

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