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Johnson, five-run fourth lift Marlins past Mets

Jul 31, 2008 - 3:22 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Josh Johnson recorded his first win in nearly two years as the Florida Marlins defeated the New York Mets, 7-5, on Wednesday.

Dan Uggla hit a two-run homer and Cody Ross delivered a two-run triple for the Marlins, who collected four extra-base hits and rallied for five runs in the fourth inning.

Johnson (1-0) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and eight hits. He struck out two and walked two in winning for the first time since August 28, 2006, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It feels good to get a win, it's kind of a burden off of my shoulders," said Johnson, who has battled a number of arm injuries. "I don't think I even got a win in my rehab starts. So it has been a long time."

With New York (58-50) losing, the Philadelphia Phillies (58-49) now lead the National League East after defeating the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Florida (57-51) is 1 1/2 games back.

"It's going to be a good race all the way down the stretch," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "But I really, really feel good about the men we've got out there. I feel like we are going to hit another streak and remain that way for a long time."

Trailing, 5-1, the Mets got back into the game when Damion Easley delivered a pinch-hit three-run homer off Johnson in the seventh. A former Marlin, Easley sent a 2-0 fastball over the left field wall to pull the Mets within 5-4.

"They don't call him a hitman for nothing," Johnson said. "It was a bad pitch for a 2-0 pitch. He can hit a fastball really well and I just left it out over the plate."

However, Uggla delivered a knockout blow for the Marlins with a two-run homer off Joe Smith in the eighth. It was Uggla's 26th homer.

"Against a guy like Joe Smith, who has such great stuff, I'm hoping he leaves something somewhere around the plate because if he doesn't, it's moving all over the place," Uggla said. "Luckily, I swung where he threw it."

Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth to pick up his 23rd save despite allowing a RBI single to Ramon Castro.

In the pivotal fourth, Jeremy Hermida led off with a triple to the right field corner. He came home to score on a single by Jorge Cantu, tying the game at 1-1.

Josh Willingham also singled before New York starter Mike Pelfrey (9-7) retired the next two batters. The righthander could not close out the inning as Ross delivered a two-run triple to right field.

"Pelfrey has gotten better, I thought he was better than in the past," Ross said. "He was commanding his fastball and it had some life. He did a great job, but I was battling and was trying to make something happen. I just got the barrel on it and luckily it got down the line."

John Baker then hit a deep fly ball to center field over Carlos Beltran's head, scoring Ross, before Johnson helped his cause with a RBI double to left-center field.

Pelfrey, who lost for the first time since May 26 - also against the Marlins - lasted four innings, allowing five runs and eight hits. The Mets lost for just the second time in Pelfrey's last 12 starts.

"I couldn't even get the pitcher out," Pelfrey said. "You have nights like that, you're not going to win."