NEW YORK – Josh Willingham drove in a career-high five runs and the Florida Marlins made three great defensive plays to stifle the New York Mets in a 5-2 victory Tuesday night.

Ricky Nolasco (1-0) came off the disabled list to allow one run and six hits in five innings for the Marlins. He was 0-3 with a 19.73 ERA in four previous appearances against New York.

Willingham tripled with the bases loaded in the first inning and hit a two-run homer off Aaron Heilman in the eighth after the Mets pulled within one. Willingham narrowly missed two more homers, flying out to the warning track in center twice.

Nolasco was backed by solid defense, especially from center fielder Alfredo Amezaga. Carlos Beltran hit a long fly to center in the fourth, but Amezaga leaped high to catch the drive near the top of the wall.

Amezaga was responsible for the final out of the inning, too. He easily threw out Carlos Delgado trying to score on Paul Lo Duca’s single to get Nolasco out of the inning.

The Marlins also turned an unusual double play when the Mets attempted a double steal with runners on first and third in the first inning. Carlos Delgado took a called third strike and shortstop Hanley Ramirez cut off catcher Miguel Olivo’s throw and threw back to the plate to get Jose Reyes.

Lee Gardner, Kevin Gregg and Taylor Tankersley combined to allow one run in three innings of relief for Florida. With heavy rain falling, former Mets prospect Henry Owens pitched the ninth for his third save and second in two days.

David Wright snapped out of a slump with three hits for New York, including his first home run of the season. Wright was 4-for-35 (.114) in his previous 10 games, including stranding six runners in an 0-for-5 performance in the series opener.

Florida took advantage of Mike Pelfrey’s control problems in the first inning. Pelfrey hit Dan Uggla with a pitch with one out and issued back-to-back walks to Miguel Cabrera and Mike Jacobs to load the bases.

Willingham then sliced a first-pitch fastball into the right-field corner to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead. He was stranded at third when Pelfrey struck out Joe Borchard and got Olivo to pop out.

That was all Florida could manage against Pelfrey (0-3), who allowed five hits and struck out three in 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander had struggled in his previous two starts, giving up 10 runs and 14 hits in eight innings.

Delgado also had an encouraging day for New York, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single. He was 6-for-42 (.143) in his previous 10 games.

Notes: RHP Nate Field was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Nolasco, who went on the DL on April 9 (retroactive to April 7) with right elbow inflammation. … Mets LF Moises Alou had MRI exams on his irritated right shoulder and arthritic left knee and said everything checked out. Mets manager Willie Randolph said Alou will probably get a day off Wednesday. … Randolph will be the keynote speaker at Fordham’s commencement ceremony on May 19. He also will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. His daughter, Ciara, will be among the graduating seniors. “Just call me Doc, Doctor Willo,” a grinning Randolph said. … Marlins RHP Sergio Mitre (blister) is expected to come off the DL in time to start Saturday against San Diego.

AP-ES-05-01-07 2154EDT