Major League Baseball

Nolasco, Marlins manhandle struggling Padres

Published Jul. 23, 2009 12:43 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Florida Marlins are the latest team to come into Petco Park and push around the punchless San Diego Padres.

Ricky Nolasco struck out 10 and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter Wednesday, leading the Marlins to a 5-0 win that completed a three-game sweep.

Chris Coghlan hit a two-run homer off Heath Bell in the ninth and Jeremy Hermida connected leading off the second against Josh Geer. It was the major league-leading 24th home run allowed by Geer, who has allowed a homer in eight straight starts.

"It's big," Nolasco said. "We knew this week was big coming up for us. We know we've got the Dodgers coming up. We had to take at least two of three from here. It's a plus we took all of them."