MLB
  Scores
  Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries: AL | NL
  Players
  Weekly Lineup
  Message Board
  Minor Leagues
  MLB Stat Search

Clubhouses

Sport Sections
  Tuesday, Jul. 4 4:05pm ET
Florida takes fifth straight game
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

MIAMI (AP) -- Mark Kotsay just took off.

Cliff Floyd
Cliff Floyd (30) steals second base as New York Mets second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo can't catch an overthrown ball during fifth inning action in Miami Tuesday. The error also permitted Marlins' Mark Kotsay to steal home.
Kotsay tied the score with a two-run double and came home with the go-ahead run on the front end of a double steal as the Florida Marlins used a six-run fifth inning to beat the New York Mets 9-8 Tuesday.

Florida, which began its comeback from a 5-0 deficit on Alex Gonzalez's three-run homer in the fourth, has won five straight for the first time since a seven-game streak last Aug. 6-13.

"It's not like we're comeback kids," said Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell, whose team has rallied from five runs down to win four times this season.

"It's just that the guys are getting more comfortable, and when you're comfortable, you don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. You try to chip away," he said.

Bobby M. Jones (0-1), recalled from the minor leagues before the game, led 5-3 in the fifth but walked pinch-hitter Mark Smith, then allowed Luis Castillo's single and Kotsay's double.

Cliff Floyd reached on an infield single, with Kotsay advancing. Pat Mahomes relieved and Floyd broke for second on the first pitch to Preston Wilson.

When catcher Todd Pratt threw to second, Kotsay broke for the plate and scored as Pratt's one-hopper got away from shortstop Melvin Mora.

"It wasn't a double steal, Kotsay went on his own," Florida manager John Boles said. "Cliff had the green light, but Kotsay took off when he saw the catcher's throw bounce in the dirt."

After walks to Wilson and Derrek Lee loaded the bases, Mora's two-out error on Mike Redmond's grounder allowed Floyd to score. Smith followed with a two-run single that made it 9-5, with Redmond tagged out during a rundown between home and third.

Mike Piazza's 21-game hitting streak ended when he pinch hit in the ninth and grounded into a fielder's choice. Piazza was not in the Mets lineup because of a slightly bruised left elbow suffered in New York's 2-0 loss Monday night, when he was hit by Wilson's back swing in the ninth.

"The streak is secondary -- it's not even a question," Piazza said.

Antonio Alfonseco, who gave up a leadoff homer to Edgardo Alfonzo, escaped a two-on, one-out jam for his major league-leading 26th save in 29 chances, striking out Pratt and Mora.

Todd Zeile's two-run homer off Ron Mahay in the sixth had pulled the Mets to 9-7.

Vic Darensbourg (4-0) pitched a scoreless inning in relief of starter Brad Penny, who allowed five runs, three hits and six walks.

Derek Bell had four RBI, three on a fourth-inning homer, as the Mets built their lead. Bell also was hit by an 0-2 pitch with the bases loaded in the second.

Jones, recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the game, gave up seven runs -- six earned -- and six hits in four-plus innings.

"The one thing I'm trying to do is control myself," Jones said. "I had a bad game. It's probably my first bad game in 2½ months. Unfortunately, it happened with the Mets."

Game notes
To make room for Jones, the Mets optioned RHP Jim Mann to Norfolk. ... With postgame activities including fireworks and a concert by Eddie Money, the game drew 24,935.

 


ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard

NY Mets Clubhouse

Florida Clubhouse


RECAPS
Cleveland 9
Toronto 4

Baltimore 7
NY Yankees 6

Detroit 11
Tampa Bay 0

Boston 14
Minnesota 4

Kansas City 10
Chi. White Sox 7

Texas 10
Oakland 7

Anaheim 7
Seattle 6

Philadelphia 7
Milwaukee 4

St. Louis 14
Cincinnati 3

Pittsburgh 10
Chicago Cubs 4

Florida 9
NY Mets 8

San Francisco 4
Colorado 1

San Francisco 3
Colorado 0

(2nd game)

Atlanta 7
Montreal 3

Arizona 10
Houston 4

San Diego 7
Los Angeles 2