Jacobs' second homer in two games helps Marlins past Pirates

MIAMI (AP) -- For the second straight game, Mike Jacobs was the difference.

Jacobs hit his first career grand slam to lead the Florida Marlins to a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Jacobs' 417-foot blast to right-center off starter Paul Maholm gave the Marlins a 5-1 lead in the fifth. Jacobs' walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth beat the Pirates on Friday.

"It's exciting obviously," Jacobs said. "It's nice to string a few days together like that. He threw me a slider that didn't slide too well."

Hanley Ramirez also homered for the Marlins.

Florida's Mark Hendrickson (1-1) gave up three runs -- one earned -- and five hits in 5 1-3 innings.

"Today I was focused on making pitches and trying to stay aggressive," Hendrickson said. "Overall we played a good team game, played some small ball, got some big hits. That's what we have to do to win games."

With the score tied at 1, Maholm retired two of the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the fifth. Maholm couldn't handle a grounder by Matt Treanor and then a throwing error by Maholm put Treanor on second. He then hit Ramirez with a pitch and walked Dan Uggla, bringing up Jacobs with the bases full.

"I fell off the mound, and when I picked it up I thought it was harder than it was," Maholm said. "It's a play that I should make. It's a shame that play led to the big inning and ruined a good game. I thought I threw well but I've got to get past the one or two hitters I need to put away."

Jacobs hit Maholm's first pitch over the right field wall.

"If he fields that comebacker, it's a different inning," Pirates manager John Russell said. "One swing of the bat changed the complexion of the whole game."

Pittsburgh closed to 5-3 in the sixth on Chris Gomez's two-run single off reliever Logan Kensing. The Marlins picked up two runs off relief pitcher Evan Meek in the sixth to stretch their lead to 7-3. Brett Carroll hit an RBI triple and later scored from third during a squeeze play on Treanor's bunt.

Maholm (0-1) allowed five runs and five hits in five innings and struck out a career-high nine. Justin Miller pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Marlins. Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth.

"He (Hendrickson) did a nice job out there and gave us some strong innings," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's what we're going to be looking for from him."

Four Pirates pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Pirates tied the score at 1 in the fourth. Jason Bay led off with a double and after Xavier Nady walked, they did a double steal. Ronny Paulino drove in Bay with a ground out.

Ramirez led off the game with a home run off Maholm. It was the 16th career leadoff homer for Ramirez.

Game notes
Ramirez's last leadoff home run was Sept. 11, 2007 against Washington. ... Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson missed his second straight game. He left Thursday's game with a strained left calf. ... Nate McLouth was awarded a base hit in the third when his ground ball struck Maholm as he was advancing to second. By rule, Maholm was called out. ... Marlins bench coach Carlos Tosca missed Saturday's game to watch his son, Matt, perform as a concert violinist ar Carnegie Hall in New York.