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Uggla, Gregg help Marlins top Diamondbacks

May 21, 2008 - 3:34 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) - Dan Uggla homered and Kevin Gregg escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning as the Florida Marlins defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2, on Tuesday in a battle of division leaders.

Uggla and Gregg helped starter Mark Hendrickson (6-2) pick up the win. The lefthander allowed one run and four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in five innings.

Luis Gonzalez and Jeremy Hermida each drove in a run for the Marlins (25-19), who remain atop the National League East Division despite a major league-low $22 million payroll.

"Every day is a chance to make a point," Hendrickson said. "As a young team, you have to understand that everybody's watching every game. You have to go out there to prove yourself and bring it every night."

Uggla's 14th home run of the season - a solo shot to left field off Diamondbacks starter Micah Owings - gave the Marlins a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning.

The 28-year-old second baseman has 10 home runs in May - one shy of the franchise record for any month. Gary Sheffield holds the record with 11 in April 1996.

Uggla, who was drafted by Arizona in 2001, is hitting .542 (19-for-35) with six home runs in his last nine games.

"He's swinging a hot bat right now," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

"I've been humbled so many times, and have been on cloud nine and brought back down to reality quicker than you can imagine, so it's gotten to the point where I know that baseball will humble you," Uggla said.

Chris Snyder hit a solo homer off of Justin Miller in the seventh to pull the Diamondbacks within 3-2.

Arizona had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the eighth when Renyel Pinto walked three straight batters with one out. However, Gregg relieved Pinto and struck out Justin Upton and Eric Byrnes to end the threat.

Gregg pitched a scoreless ninth to record his eighth save in nine chances.

"That's a tough save to come in with the bases loaded in the eighth," Gonzalez said. "Trying to get two outs and then get three outs in the ninth, it's tough duty.

"We know he is capable of going multiple innings, but that is not one of those things we want to keep doing."

Owings (5-2) struck out a career-high 10 batters in seven innings. He gave up three runs and seven hits.

"We had chances, myself included," said Owings, who is hitting .323 this season but struck out with runners on the corners in the fifth. "I could have picked us up right there, could've helped my team, could've helped myself and didn't get it done."