MLB: Florida 9, Washington 6

orge Cantu also had a two-run shot for the Marlins, who won their third straight in the opener of a 10-game road trip.

Florida jumped a game in front of Atlanta for second place in the National League East and is 7 1/2 games behind division-leading Philadelphia.

Reliever Burke Badenhop (6-4) got the victory with three scoreless innings after starter Sean West gave up five runs in three innings. Leo Nunez worked the ninth for his 18th save.

Baker hit his home run in the third to give Florida a 5-2 lead, after which Washington rallied to tie it. He put the Marlins in front for good with an RBI single in the fifth and drove in one of Florida's two runs in the sixth with another base hit.

Losing pitcher Garrett Mock (3-7) surrendered six runs on seven hits in three innings.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.