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Diaz's two homers propel Braves past Marlins

Aug 30, 2007 - 3:50 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Matt Diaz wishes he could play the Florida Marlins more often.

Diaz had his first career multi-homer game as the Atlanta Braves posted a 7-4 victory over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series.

The 29-year-old Diaz is 17-for-43 (.395) with four home runs and nine RBI against the Marlins this season.

"I've had some success this year and last year against them," Diaz said. "For some reason, it's just one of those things. I see the ball well here."

Diaz sent a first-pitch offering from Florida starter Dontrelle Willis (8-14) just over the left field scoreboard in the third inning for a two-run homer and a 4-2 lead. He struck again in the fourth, lining a solo shot down the left field line to open the Braves' advantage to 5-3.

"I thought it was out," Diaz said of the first homer that had the umpiring crew and Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez discussing it. "I thought I saw it hit the back wall and skim back in. I hit it so high, I knew it wasn't going to bounce all the way to shortstop without having hit something behind it to get it started."

The Florida State alum added a double in the sixth but was thrown out at home trying to score on Mark Teixeira's single that already had plated Yunel Escobar.

"That's every night," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said of Diaz's offensive showing. "I wish he had enough at-bats, he'd lead the league in hitting."

Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle (8-5) hurled five innings, surrendering three runs, four hits and three walks with six strikeouts. It was Carlyle's first win since August 7.

"It feels good to finally help contribute to a win instead of putting the team in a hole like I've been doing," said Carlyle, who was pitching with a blister on his middle finger. "Confidence-wise, for me to do something productive for the team feels good, too."

Three relievers bridged the gap to Rafael Soriano, who pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to register his sixth save of the season.

With the win, the third-place Braves (69-65) pulled within five games of the National League East Division-leading New York Mets (73-59), who dropped a 3-2 decision to Philadelphia (70-62). The Phillies trail the Mets by three games.

"We went into this trip hoping it would turn our season into what we think it's capable of being, and that's a playoff team," Diaz said. "But it didn't turn out that way. We're still sub-.500 for the road trip (4-6), and that puts some pressure on us going home. But winning tonight was big."

Willis, who hit a solo homer in the second inning, gave up six runs and eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 frames. The 25-year-old lefthander has lost 11 of his last 12 decisions.

"Whatever it takes, but we're here to get outs," Willis said of his blast. "I wanted to go out there and get the ball rolling. I think we're struggling as a team. It was a big win for us last night, so it was definitely key for us to go out there and play well today. But we just fell short."

Escobar gave the Braves an early 1-0 edge, leading off the game with a solo shot. It was his first leadoff blast of his career.

Dan Uggla belted a solo homer to left in the third to give him 27 on the season, matching his career high.

Gonzalez said his team's struggles can be traced to his starting pitchers.

"There's no secret," Gonzalez said. "Long winning streaks are sustained with pitching. We just haven't been able to get that. From Saturday to Wednesday, I don't think we've (had a starter go) more than five innings. We need guys to get six or seven because you can't keep putting that kind of stress on the bullpen and survive."

The Marlins have lost 13 of their last 15 contests.