The Marlins defeat the Astros 8-6 Monday night, moving to 3 1/2 games behind the Phillies. Chris Coghlan and Nick Johnson batting 1-2 reached base a combined five times and scored three runs. The Marlins finally have two good table setters in front of Hanley Ramirez, who picked up two hits and an RBI. That means Hanley can serve as the pivot point of the lineup; he can drive in the top batters, and set up the rest of the heart of the order for RBI. This is becoming a more formidable team.

With the two hits, Ramirez is now hitting .348 on the season.