MLB: Florida 14, Houston 2

MADISON, Fla., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs Wednesday and Florida pounded out 18 hits in smashing Houston 14-2.

The Astros lost their fourth straight and remained winless since Hurricane Ike disrupted their schedule last week. They fell four games behind the New York Mets in the race for the National League's wild card berth.

Ramirez led off Florida's four-run first inning with a homer and added a solo shot in the second. Both blasts came off Brandon Backe (9-13), who needed 45 pitches to retire just five batters while giving up five runs on six hits.

Florida already had a 10-2 lead in the eighth when Jorge Cantu hit a grand slam homer.

The win went to Ricky Nolasco (15-7), who gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings.