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Johnson, Roberts lead surge as D-Backs top Marlins

Jun 12, 2011 - 3:56 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Kelly Johnson belted a three-run double and Ryan Roberts had a leadoff homer, as the Arizona Diamondbacks outslugged the Florida Marlins, 9-5, in the second of a four-game set from Sun Life Stadium.

Johnson's bases-clearing double came as part of a decisive six-run fourth inning, which was spearheaded by a leadoff homer from Stephen Drew.

Ian Kennedy (7-2), the beneficiary of Arizona's offensive surge, allowed five runs over eight innings while striking out nine to earn the win.

Chris Coghlan, Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton each homered for the Marlins, who downed the Diamondbacks in the series opener to halt a season-long eight game skid.

Javier Vazquez (3-6) lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six.

"You know, a rough outing for him," Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said of Vazquez. "He struggled with control, he was pitching behind in the count, so that fourth inning got away and the game got away."

Roberts began the game with a bang, ripping a 2-1 fastball over the fence in left to give the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 lead.

Coghlan responded in turn, leading off the bottom of the first with a blast to right.

Florida grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third, as a Logan Morrison triple brought home Omar Infante.

Drew's home run, which tied the game, was the initial jab in a fourth-inning flurry for the Diamondbacks.

Arizona placed runners at the corners with two down, but Vazquez appeared poised to escape the jam with Kennedy coming to the plate. Instead, Vazquez walked Kennedy to load the bases, then gave Roberts a free pass, forcing a run home. Johnson's double over the head of Coghlan gave the Diamondbacks a 6-2 lead and Justin Upton's subsequent two-bagger scored Johnson and chased Vazquez from the game.

"You know, that's a game-changer," Johnson said of the fourth-inning production.

Brian Sanches spelled Vazquez and stuck out Drew to end the threat. But Sanches struggled in the fifth, allowing Chris Young to score from third on a wild pitch and Xavier Nady to cross the plate on a Gerardo Parra triple.

In the bottom of the fifth, Florida countered behind the tandem of Sanchez and Stanton, who hit back-to-back homers -- Sanchez's of the two-run variety -- to keep the Marlins within striking distance.

Unfortunately for Florida, Kennedy would settle down to retire the next 10 batters and Aaron Heilman threw a scoreless ninth to secure the win.

Game Notes

John Buck's season-high five game hit streak came to an end...The Marlins' eight-game losing streak was their longest since August of 2007...Stanton has belted 14 home runs since May 1st.