New York ? The way the Florida Marlins are playing, only a force of nature could slow them down. That’s exactly what happened.

Carl Pavano and the Marlins beat the New York Mets, 9-6, Thursday for their seventh win in a row before packing up and flying back to South Florida to prepare for Hurricane Frances. The storm already has forced the postponement of tonight’s game against the Chicago Cubs — but the Marlins aren’t fazed.

“The good news is, I saved $159 on my car insurance,” manager Jack McKeon said, spoofing the ubiquitous commercials in his own way. “Hopefully, we’ll start up again Saturday and keep going the way we’ve been going.”

Players showered and dressed quickly so they could return to a state bracing for its worst storm in at least a decade. Frances, packing 145 mph winds and the potential to push ashore waves up to 15 feet high, could be felt in Florida by midmorning today.

“A lot of us have houses and family down there, so obviously we’re worried about it,” Pavano said.

Rockies 6, Giants 5

San Francisco — Vinny Castilla hit a two-run homer, Matt Holliday drove in two runs, and Colorado beat Jason Schmidt and San Francisco. Joe Kennedy (7-6) pitched effectively into the eighth inning as the Rockies won their second straight following a season-high eight-game losing streak.

Dodgers 8, D’backs 4

Phoenix — Adrian Beltre hit his 43rd homer, and Milton Bradley doubled twice as Los Angeles beat Arizona.

Cardinals 7, Padres 2

St. Louis — Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered in the first inning, and Jeff Suppan won his fifth straight start, leading St. Louis to a three-game sweep of San Diego. Pujols and Edmonds each homered three times in the series for the Cardinals.

Brewers 7, Pirates 1

Milwaukee — Ben Sheets threw a four-hitter for his first win since the All-Star break, Bill Hall drove in four runs, and Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh.