Johnson pitches Marlins past Mets

NEW YORK -- Josh Johnson stifled the New York Mets for seven innings, Dan Uggla had two doubles and three runs batted in and the Florida Marlins again roughed up Mike Pelfrey in an 8-2 win Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Luis Gonzalez and Mike Jacobs each homered and Florida finished the trip 3-3. The second-place Mets are two games behind Philadelphia in the National League East and the Marlins are 2 1/2 games behind the Phillies.

Johnson (3-0) gave up two runs and five hits. He has made six starts since returning from reconstructive elbow surgery and has lowered his earned-run average from 4.18 to 3.19 with his last two starts.

Endy Chavez’s leadoff triple in the third inning was the one hard-hit ball against Johnson. Chavez scored on Jose Reyes’ groundout.

Johnson struck out five in beating the Mets and Pelfrey (10-8) for the second time -- July 30 was the first. The Mets had won nine of Pelfrey’s previous 10 starts, but he gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings Sunday. The Marlins have scored at least five runs in each of his three starts against them.