MLB: Florida 5, Colorado 2

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MIAMI, July 21 (UPI) -- Ricky Nolasco was staked to an early five-run lead Wednesday and he struck out eight in eight innings while lifting Florida to a 5-2 victory over Colorado.

Nolasco (10-7) improved to 5-0 in his six career appearances against the Rockies. He gave up four hits and lost his bid for a shutout when Seth Smith hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla both had an RBI double in the first and Gaby Sanchez hit a three-run blast in the second. The Marlins won for the fourth time in five games, the only setback in that stretch being a 10-0 whipping at the hands of the Rockies Tuesday.

Leo Nunez allowed a hit and struck out two in the ninth to earn his 23rd save.

Jason Hammel (7-5) gave up five runs on six hits in seven innings to take the loss. The Rockies have dropped five out of seven.