Miami ? There’s something about the Cody Ross-Anibal Sanchez duo that works for the surging Florida Marlins.

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 had 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 and set a club record with five homers.

“A good day all around,” Marlins manager Joe Girardi said.

Ross has 12 home runs this season, 10 with Florida – and seven in games started by Sanchez. Entering Monday, Ross had only one homer in his last 87 at-bats.

“Anibal told me a couple of days ago, ‘Man, every time I pitch, you hit a home run,'” Ross said. “After the first one I hit tonight, I thought about it and kind of chuckled. He doesn’t need that much run support. He hasn’t lately. But any time we can go out there and score like that against one of the best teams in the major leagues, it’s huge.”

The Marlins, 17-5 since Aug. 20, moved within two games of idle San Diego in the NL wild-card race.

The Mets’ magic number for clinching the NL East title for the first time since 1988 remained at four.

Cubs 8, Braves 3

Atlanta – Derrek Lee homered twice, and Jacque Jones hit a three-run shot as Chicago avoided a sweep in Atlanta with only its fourth win in 22 games. Lee hit a three-run homer in the third to chase John Smoltz (12-9) and added a solo shot in the fifth on the first pitch from Ken Ray.

Pirates 4, Braves 3

Pittsburgh – Zach Duke (9-13) struck out a season-high seven in eight innings, allowing two runs and five hits, and Chris Duffy hit a two-run single off Doug Davis (10-10).

Cardinals 7, Astros 0

St. Louis – Chris Carpenter (14-6) pitched a six-hitter, struck out six and walked two in his third shutout, tying Arizona’s Brandon Webb for the major-league lead.

Nationals 7, D’backs 6

Phoenix – Jose Vidro drove in four runs, and Nick Johnson hit a two-run single. Vidro drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Vizcaino (4-5) to put the Nationals ahead in the ninth inning.