MIAMI (AP) — Melvin Mora drove in five runs, Jeff Francis pitched seven crisp innings and the Colorado Rockies beat the Florida Marlins 10-0 on Tuesday night.
Batting in the No. 3 spot for only the second time this season, Mora hit a bases-clearing double to highlight a six-run third inning. He also hit a two-run homer off Nate Robertson (6-8) in the fifth and finished with three hits, matching a season high.
Francis (3-3) allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked none while lowering his ERA from 5.14 to 4.63.
Robertson gave up eight runs, seven earned, and six hits in five innings for Florida, which had won three straight.
It was the Marlins' most lopsided loss of the season and just the seventh time in franchise history where they gave up at least 10 runs at home while being shut out. The last was a 13-0 loss to the New York Mets on April 2, 2008.
Jonathan Herrera scored twice for the Rockies. Colorado pitchers struck out 12 and walked just one, a two-out pass that Randy Flores issued to Wes Helms in the ninth.
It was a combination of things that landed Mora in the Rockies' third spot.
Carlos Gonzalez — the regular No. 3 hitter of late — got the day off because of an aching index finger, which he aggravated in Monday's 9-8 loss to the Marlins. And Jason Giambi, who has filled the No. 3 spot at times, was out of the lineup because Colorado manager Jim Tracy thought the time was right to get him a bit of rest.
So Tracy penciled in Mora, and it worked perfectly.
Robertson rolled through the first two innings, then lost his way in the third. He bobbled a sacrifice bunt by Francis, helping Colorado load the bases with no outs. Next, he hit Dexter Fowler in the back to drive in the first run, then issued a four-pitch walk to Herrera for the second.
When Robertson found the strike zone, he grooved a 77 mph offering to Mora, who connected on a three-run double. And in the fifth, Mora hit his second homer of the season, stretching the lead to 8-0.
Mora entered with 14 RBIs, and just one homer since Sept. 19.
Colorado added two more runs in the seventh. Brad Eldred — who played his college ball at nearby Florida International — singled off Burke Badenhop to bring home Mora, and Ian Stewart walked to force Ryan Spilborghs home for a 10-0 lead.
It was more than enough for Francis, who set down 12 straight at one point and combined with two relievers on the three-hitter. Florida didn't have anyone advance past first base in the game. Helms tried to stretch a single into a double, only to be thrown out by Mora, which he said was his first outfield assist since 2003.
NOTES: It was the fourth time Colorado scored at least 10 runs in a road game this season. The Rockies have done it eight times in their offense-friendly park. ... Badenhop gave up two runs and three hits in two innings. He hadn't allowed a hit in four appearances since returning to the Marlins on July 7. ... Mora's career best is a six-RBI game for Baltimore against Detroit on Aug. 17, 2008. ... The Marlins failed in a try for their second four-game winning streak of the season. Their only other came May 13-16 against the Mets.
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