MIAMI – With three big swings, Cody Ross upstaged teammate Anibal Sanchez.

Ross tied Florida records with three home runs and seven RBIs, while Sanchez – in his first start since pitching a no-hitter last week – allowed four hits and struck out eight in seven innings as the Marlins beat the New York Mets 16-5 Monday night.

Dan Uggla was a career-best 5-for-5 with three runs, Ross finished with four hits and Miguel Cabrera took over the NL batting lead plus drove in three runs for the Marlins, who had a season-high 20 hits.

Cubs 8, Braves 3

ATLANTA – Derrek Lee homered twice and Jacque Jones hit a three-run shot as the Chicago Cubs avoided a sweep in Atlanta with only their fourth win in 22 games, beating the Braves 8-3.

Lee, playing just his 47th game in an injury-plagued season, hit a three-run homer in the third inning to chase John Smoltz and added a solo shot in the fifth on the first pitch from Ken Ray, one of eight pitchers used by Atlanta.

Cardinals 7, Astros 0

ST. LOUIS – Chris Carpenter threw a six-hitter and Ronnie Belliard had four RBIs, helping the St. Louis Cardinals take advantage of a fill-in starter in a 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

Juan Encarnacion had two RBIs for the Cardinals.

Yankees 9, Orioles 6

BALTIMORE – Robinson Cano doubled in three runs with a seventh-inning line drive over stumbling left fielder Fernando Tatis, giving the New York Yankees the lead for good in a 9-6 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Twins 9, Athletics 4

MINNEAPOLIS – Michael Cuddyer homered and drove in four runs, Carlos Silva threw seven smooth innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland Athletics 9-4 to move within 11/2 games of idle Detroit.

in the AL Central.