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Treanor, Cantu power Marlins past Brewers

May 9, 2008 - 4:15 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Florida Marlins received some power from an unexpected source.

Matt Treanor hit a three-run homer as the Marlins completed a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers with a 7-2 victory on Thursday night.

Jorge Cantu hit a two-run homer and Luis Gonzalez recorded three hits for Florida, which has won four straight and five of its last six games.

"We saved the homestand, good for us," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said of his club going 5-4 at home after opening 0-3 in the nine-game stand. "We are very pleased with the way we bounced back after the Dodgers series."

Logan Kensing (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 hitless innings in relief of Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson to pick up his first win of the season. Kensing, who struck out four, took over with one out in the fifth after Hendrickson had thrown 109 pitches.

Hendrickson gave up a run, seven hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings but also allowed baserunners in each frame. It was only the second time in eight outings that Hendrickson failed to go at least five innings this season.

"(Florida catcher) Treanor came out to me and said, 'Let's go after this guy with your best pitch' and I asked him if I had a fifth pitch because the first four weren't working," Hendrickson said. "(Not getting through five innings) happens, but we won. I just apologize to everybody for the pace of play, that was a long game."

"Mark battled," Gonzalez said in response to Hendrickson being taken out before earning a decision. "He's earned the right for the opportunity to go out there and try to get through the fifth inning and try to get a W."

Cantu gave Florida an early lead. With two outs and a runner on in the bottom of the first, Cantu, batting in the cleanup spot for the injured Mike Jacobs, drilled a pitch from Milwaukee starter Carlos Villanueva (1-3) into the seats in left field for his fifth homer of the season.

"Wherever I hit, I don't pay attention," Cantu said. "As long as I'm in the lineup and contributing, that's all that matters."

An RBI single by Hanley Ramirez two innings later gave the Marlins a 3-0 advantage.

With Florida ahead, 3-1, in the fifth, an RBI single by Wes Helms increased the lead to three before Treanor belted an offering from Villanueva over the left field wall to make it 7-1.

"When I hit it, I thought most likely it would stay fair by the way that I swung, but you never know here with the way that the wind swirls," Treanor said. "I found out that it hit the foul pole or fair pole, whatever you want to call it - I'll call it the fair pole."

It was Treanor's first homer of 2008 and just the seventh of his five-year career. His three RBI also were a career high.

"When I get a chance to play, I'll do what I can to help the team win," Treanor added.

Villanueva surrendered seven runs, 10 hits and two walks while striking out six in five innings. The 24-year-old righthander, who went 2-for-2 at the plate, has lost his last four decisions.

Mike Rivera and Villanueva each drove in a run for the Brewers, who scored just four times in the series and have lost six in a row.

"The losing is crazy," Brewers outfielder Mike Cameron said. "Nobody likes to go through it. Nobody likes to struggle, but it's all part of the game. You've just got to continue to go out and battle. Nobody's going to feel sorry for us because we've lost six in a row."