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Hermida, Uggla power Marlins over Pirates

May 16, 2007 - 4:49 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Jeremy Hermida is back with a bang. It was just in time for the slumping Florida Marlins.

Fresh off the disabled list, Hermida had a home run and Dan Uggla blasted two homers and drove in four runs as the Marlins snapped a four-game losing streak with a 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Sergio Mitre (1-2) had his second straight stellar outing for the Marlins, who used a four-run sixth inning to secure the victory. Mitre allowed three runs - two earned - and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings, striking out four without walking a batter.

"This is a good win for us," said third baseman Aaron Boone, who had three RBI. "We've scuffled a little bit lately, but tonight a lot of guys had in a hand in it offensively. Sergio was great again, the bullpen came in and pitched well. It was nice to have a fun one where everyone has a hand in it. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we continue to get healthier."

Florida's top pick in 2002, Hermida was supposed to be the crown jewel of the organization's fertile farm system. However, the 23-year-old was overshadowed by Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez and the surprising Uggla in 2006.

This campaign again started off on the wrong foot for Hermida, who spent all season on the DL with a deep bone bruise on his right knee. The right fielder also was limited to 99 games last season with a hip flexor and a stress fracture in his right ankle.

He returned on Monday and went 1-for-2 with a walk in a 7-0 loss to the Pirates. One night later, he showed off his power, blasting a prodigious shot off Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm in the sixth inning to make it 5-1.

"I'm glad he's back and a mainstay in our lineup, staying healthy," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's a guy you can pencil in in right field, and you don't have to worry about that position. We'll be a lot better with him out there."

It was the second homer of the inning for the Marlins, who benefited from a two-run blast by Uggla to snap a 1-1 tie. The second-year standout also smacked a two-run shot in the seventh to make it 7-1.

"It was nice to get to finally have a lead as far as relaxing me a little bit," Uggla said. "Once you get a little cushion like that, it gives you a little more confidence at the plate to swing away and be more aggressive. It definitely gives you a little more confidence after you get a bit of a cushion."

Mitre secured his first win despite the fact that he threw eight shutout innings last Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Renyel Pinto relieved Mitre to get the final out of the eighth. After Mitre allowed a two-out single to Jason Bay, Pinto struck out Ryan Doumit swinging to end the threat.

Kevin Gregg hurled a clean ninth to finish the game.

"I'm out there to put the team in a winning situation, and I was able to do that today," Mitre said. "As long as I pitch good and keep the team in the ballgame, we're good to go. These last two starts have been better ones. I just have to go to work to keep the ball rolling."

Maholm (2-5) yielded five runs and seven hits in six innings, striking out three and not walking a batter. It was the third loss in his last four starts for the lefthander, who has allowed six home runs in his past two outings.

"I felt good; I missed on some pitches and they took advantage," Maholm said. "I don't know why there's all these home runs all of a sudden. They're hitting them, but I've got to put it behind me."

After suffering through a 4-for-16 slump, Freddy Sanchez had collected seven hits in his last two games - both Pittsburgh wins. On Tuesday, the reigning National League batting champion was 0-for-4. Adam LaRoche and Jose Castillo had two hits apiece for the Pirates, who have lost three of their last five.

"We still had eight hits and scored three runs, so I don't think it was offensive panic by any means," Bay said. "I thought we hit the ball pretty well considering what (Mitre) did. We just gave up too many runs."