MIAMI, May 16 (UPI) -- Chris Coughlin belted a pinch-hit three-run homer to blunt a New York rally and preserve a 10-8 Florida victory over the Mets Sunday.
The Mets had whittled Florida's lead from 7-0 to 7-6 with three runs in the sixth, but Couglin's shot off Fernando Nieve restored some breathing room for the Marlins, who with the win posted a four-game sweep of their National League East rivals for the first time in six years.
Cody Ross was 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored and Dan Uggla added a solo homer for Florida, winners of six game in seven tries.
Ricky Nolasco (4-2) pitched well enough for the win, surrendering two earned runs on six hits in six innings of work, walking two and striking out three.
Mets starter Jonathon Niese (1-2) exited the game in the third inning with an apparent leg injury after fielding a Gaby Sanchez bunt and throwing the ball away. He was charged with five runs on three hits and a walk in two-plus innings.
Alex Cora got a pair of hits and drove in two runs and David Wright added two RBI in New York's loss.
