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Garza, Rays stymie Marlins

Jun 15, 2008 - 2:29 AM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The last time Matt Garza took the mound, he got in a fight with a teammate and didn't even pitch five innings.

On Saturday, Matt Garza rebounded and combined with two relievers on a three-hitter as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Florida Marlins, 4-1, on Saturday.

Dan Wheeler and Troy Percival pitched the final two innings as Garza ended a two-game losing streak. Jonny Gomes had a solo home run and Jason Bartlett added a two-run single, helping the Rays win for the 22nd time in their last 25 home games.

Since April 22, the Rays are 32-17, the best record in the majors. Tampa Bay won its second consecutive game against Florida in interleague play to remain 1 1/2 games behind Boston in the American League East race.

In his last start, Garza and catcher Dioner Navarro had to be separated in the dugout on June 8 in a loss at Texas. Against Florida, Garza was in control from the outset.

"Matt kept his emotions in check very well," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "He seemed much calmer. I liked his demeanor."

Garza (5-3) won for the first time since May 28. He allowed a season low-tying three hits and one run in seven innings. He struck out three and walked one.

"I wanted to come out and stay calm, on an even keel," Garza said. "This was a huge step in the right direction."

Wheeler pitched a perfect eighth and Percival, who made his first appearance since May 28 on Friday when he came off the disabled list, worked a perfect ninth to record his 15th save.

Gomes' home run in the second off former Ray Mark Hendrickson gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead.

"It's good to get our licks on him," Gomes said. "He's having a good year over there."

In the bottom of the inning, Bartlett's two-out, two-run single gave the Rays a 3-1 lead. Bartlett also played a key part in Friday's win against the Marlins with three hits.

"I wasn't too happy with the way the fourth inning was going," Hendrickson said. "I seemed to be nibbling a little bit too much and then kind of made a mistake to Bartlett."

The Rays loaded the bases with no out in the seventh, but managed only one run on a double-play groundout by Justin Ruggiano.

Since starting 7-2, Hendrickson (7-5) lost for the third time in his last four starts. Hendrickson allowed four hits and three runs in five innings. He struck out six and walked three in falling to 2-3 against his former team.

"I just didn't feel like I had my fastball command early and I kind of got away from it," Hendrickson said.

The Marlins have scored only four runs in their past three games, their fewest runs in a three-game stretch this season.

"Garza was pretty good today, so we will go out and take it out on somebody tomorrow," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Navarro said he and Garza have put their confrontation behind them and laugh about it now.

"It was great how he went out tonight," Navarro said. "We had a conversation before we went out and he stuck with the game plan."