Streaking D-backs rough up Mitre, beat Marlins

Diamondbacks 9, Marlins 6

MIAMI (AP) -- The ever-expanding list of catalysts for the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks now includes reserve infielder Augie Ojeda, who had a role in their latest win even though he didn't play.

Ojeda made his pitching debut as a sacrificial reliever at the end of a blowout loss Tuesday to Florida, lifting the postgame mood. Arizona bounced back from that drubbing with 15 hits Wednesday, including a two-run homer by Chris Snyder, and beat the Marlins 9-6.

"We'll give Augie an assist," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "It always seems to lighten up what is a very difficult atmosphere in the dugout."

The NL West leaders won for the 18th time in 23 games. Eric Byrnes, Mark Reynolds and Orlando Hudson had three hits each, and Doug Davis pitched 5 1/3 innings to win his fifth decision in a row.

The Diamondbacks have been resilient lately. Since the All-Star break, they've lost 14-0, 11-0 and -- on Tuesday -- 14-5 but then won the next game.

"You see that a lot on championship teams -- they come back and never let down," Davis said.

Davis (10-10) allowed seven hits and four runs. He has an ERA of 3.20 over his past seven starts, all Arizona victories.

Byrnes doubled twice, scored twice and drove in two runs. Reynolds singled three times for the second night in a row and is batting .474 over the past 10 games.

"It's somebody new every night," Snyder said. "That's how we're rolling. It's anybody, any time, any night. You never know."

Jose Valverde pitched a hitless ninth for his 36th save in 42 chances, and Arizona improved to 5-1 against Florida this year.

Cody Ross hit a three-run homer for the Marlins, but Sergio Mitre (5-6) allowed 10 hits and five runs in six innings.

"I didn't do my job," said Mitre, who fell to 1-6 lifetime at Dolphin Stadium. "I let the guys down. Five runs shouldn't happen. We should have won this game."

NL batting leader Hanley Ramirez went 1-for-4 for Florida to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest of his career. Mike Jacobs was 4-for-4 with two doubles.

The Diamondbacks took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Stephen Drew and Hudson singled and Byrnes hit a two-out, two-run double to make it 3-1.

After Florida cut the deficit to 5-4 on Ross' homer, Arizona scored four times in the seventh off Justin Miller. The runs came home on a forceout, a balk, a wild pitch and a pinch-hit single by Jeff Salazar, recalled before the game from Triple-A Tucson.

"Give them credit," Ross said. "They came right back and swung the bats and scored some weird runs."

Miller's woeful effort drew boos from the small crowd. Announced attendance was 11,472, but there were only about 2,500 fans in the stands.

Arizona scored first in the fourth inning. Byrnes singled, stole second and came home on a two-out single by Reynolds.

Ross was intentionally walked in each of his first two plate appearances. Davis pitched to him the third time, and Ross hit his sixth home run.

Florida scored twice in the seventh on an RBI single by Jacobs and a run-scoring double by Miguel Olivo.

Game notes
Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco (elbow) pitched three innings in a rehabilitation assignment for Double-A Carolina and allowed three runs, two earned. ... Snyder lost track of the count at 2-2, and after taking ball three he trotted toward first before realizing his mistake. He then grounded out to end the fourth inning. ... Jacobs matched a career high with four hits. He improved to 6-for-8 lifetime against Davis and hiked his batting average against left-handers to .375.