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Mets win, take advantage of Marlins errors

Sep 22, 2007 - 5:45 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- The struggling New York Mets took advantage of some sloppy defense by the Florida Marlins to get a much-needed win.

The Mets scored eight unearned runs on six errors as the Mets defeated the Marlins, 9-6, in a rain-soaked game on Friday night.

With the win, the Mets (85-68) remained 1 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies (84-70) in the National League East. The Phillies had beaten the Washington Nationals, 6-3, on Friday. It was just the second win in their last eight games for the Mets, who had a seven-game division lead on September 12.

"Good teams need to do that," Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado said. "They kicked the ball around a bit and we got big hits and took advantage."

Luis Castillo snapped a 3-3 tie with a two-out, RBI bloop single to center in the top of the fourth inning and Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes added two-run singles for New York, which has won seven of eight games at Dolphin Stadium this year.

New York scored three runs in the third inning, three in the fourth and two more in the fifth - all unearned - to erase an early 3-0 deficit. Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs made errors in the third and fifth inning, and third baseman Miguel Cabrera made errors in the third and fourth inning, all of which proved to be crucial.

"It's part of the game," Jacobs said. "Those things happen and it's not from lack of effort. You obviously don't want to make that many errors in the game. We're better than that."

The Florida miscues made a winner out of Mets starter Pedro Martinez (3-0), who surrendered four runs - three earned - in five innings, but did not return after a 2 hour, 21 minute rain delay. He gave up eight hits and two walks but struck out seven.

"I felt pretty good with all the pitches," Martinez said. "I was missing a little bit more than normal with the fastball. I thought a couple of the pitches were close, but I'm not whining."

Three relievers bridged the gap to Scott Schoeneweis pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings with three strikeouts for his first save of the season. He filled in for regular closer Billy Wagner, who was out with back spasms.

Cabrera had three hits and two RBI for the Marlins, who have lost five of six.

The Marlins got on the board early when Cabrera doubled to left, scoring Dan Uggla from first to give Florida a 1-0 lead in the first inning. They extended the lead to 3-0 in the second inning on Miguel Olivo's RBI single and Hanley Ramirez's sacrifice fly.

The Mets came back to tie it in the top of the third inning with some help from the shaky Florida defense. With a runner on second and two outs, Marlins first baseman Jacobs dropped the throw from Ramirez to allow David Wright to reach base.

After a passed ball by Olivo scored one run, Beltran reached when his hit went past Cabrera at third base to make the score, 3-2. Moises Alou followed with an RBI single to center to tie score at 3-3. The single extended Alou's hitting streak to 25 games, which is a New York Mets franchise record.

"We didn't help ourselves defensively," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I thought (Olsen) pitched Ok. He didn't get any help. It was just one of those days. I'm glad it's over."

Martinez got out of a key jam in the bottom of the third to keep the game tied at 3-3. With the bases loaded and one out, Martinez struck out Cody Ross on a 3-2 pitch and then struck out Olivo looking to end the threat.

"I believe that was the turning point," Martinez said. "Getting the key outs in a key situation, I got my teammates motivated. That's what we needed. Not only a turn around for the game, but a turn around for the way we were playing."

New York scored two more unearned runs in the top of the fifth after Jacobs booted a ground ball to first for his second error of the game. With two outs, Reyes lined a two-run single to left field to stretch the Mets lead to 8-3.

The six errors made by Florida is a franchise record. The Mets made 10 errors in two games, setting a franchise record on Sunday and Monday earlier this week.

"Yeah, no doubt (they helped)," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "They (the Marlins) played sloppy. We've given away some (games), so we'll take them."

Delgado hit his 23rd home run of the season in the seventh inning.

Ramirez got the Marlins a little closer when he ripped a two-run double to left field in the eighth to make the score, 9-6.

Marlins starter Scott Olsen (9-15) went five innings and gave up eight runs on seven hits and three walks. It was the 23-year-old lefthander's sixth straight loss.

"After the errors I'm still one pitch away from getting out of it every inning," Olsen said. "That's my fault. Errors are part of the game, you live with that."