Marlins unload on Braves

Florida wins, 20-1; photographer hurt by bat

? Mike Lowell and the Florida Marlins were enjoying a record-setting night when, suddenly, a bat flew into the stands and a horrific scene unfolded.

In the seventh inning of the Marlins’ 20-1 win over Atlanta Tuesday night, a bat slipped from the hands of Atlanta’s Darren Bragg and struck an unidentified photographer.

“I saw a lot of blood,” Lowell said. “I know the other camera people were ducking. The guy was really laid out on the stretcher.”

The man, working beyond the first-base dugout, sustained lacerations to the face but never lost consciousness, the Marlins said. He was airlifted to a hospital and there was no immediate word on his condition.

The game was held up for 18 minutes while the photographer was tended to by medical personnel.

Bragg was visibly shaken afterward.

“I’m told that he’s OK, and I’m glad about that,” Bragg said. “I felt terrible when it happened. I found out right away that they were calling for a stretcher, and I knew that was a bad situation.”

The Marlins set a team record for runs and matched a team mark with 25 hits, with Miguel Cabrera, Ivan Rodriguez and Luis Castillo each getting four. The 20-year-old Cabrera drove in four runs and scored four times.

Lowell drove in three runs, a few hours after the Marlins said they would not be trading their star third baseman. Ramon Castro also homered as the Marlins won for the sixth straight time at home.

The scoreboard tells the story after Florida set a team record for runs, defeating Atlanta, 20-1. The blowout was Tuesday in Miami.

The accomplishments paled after the scene in the seventh inning, however.

“It’s disappointing that on a night when we have 20 runs, we’re probably more concerned about how he turns out,” Florida manager Jack McKeon said. “It’s a freaky situation. The guy really got nailed. I feel sorry for him, and I hope he turns out all right.”

Reds 5, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh — Jose Guillen hit a tie-breaking, two-run home run in the eighth inning, and Cincinnati rallied after squandering numerous early scoring chances. The Reds’ Danny Graves (4-7), starting for the first time in his career on three days’ rest, got the victory despite giving up nine hits in seven innings.

Phillies 4, Cubs 3

Philadelphia — Mike Lieberthal’s two-out RBI single in the ninth inning led Philadelphia to their seventh consecutive victory.

Mets 7, Expos 6

New York — Pinch-hitter Tony Clark singled home Joe McEwing with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving New York a win. The Mets won hours after trading second baseman Roberto Alomar to the Chicago White Sox for three prospects, despite stranding 12 runners and another blown save by closer Armando Benitez.

Giants 5, Cardinals 1

Florida's Luis Castillo, right, is greeted by teammate Alex Gonzalez after Castillo scored on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning. The Marlins routed the Braves, 20-1, Tuesday in Miami.

St. Louis — Spot starter Jim Brower allowed one run in six innings, and Jose Cruz Jr. homered in a five-run first as San Francisco beat St. Louis. Cruz and Ray Durham had two hits and scored a run as the NL West leaders controlled the league’s best hitting team for the second straight game.

Rockies 7, Diamondbacks 4

Denver — Arizona’s 12-game winning streak ended when Ronnie Belliard hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning for Colorado. The Rockies hit four homers in breaking Arizona’s team-record winning string. It was the best streak in the majors since the Oakland A’s won 20 in a row Aug. 13-Sept. 4.

Astros 6, Brewers 5 (10)

Houston — Gregg Zaun’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the 10th inning rallied Houston.

Padres 7, Dodgers 1

Los Angeles — Ryan Klesko homered to lead off San Diego’s six-run seventh inning against Hideo Nomo. Nomo (9-7) allowed only two hits through six scoreless innings but couldn’t retire any of the six batters he faced in the seventh.