01:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 9, 2006

JUPITER, Fla. -- Top infield prospect Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-3 and scored three times to lead the Florida Marlins' second offensive binge in as many days, helping them beat the Boston Red Sox yesterday, 12-1.

The Marlins have totaled 34 runs and 42 hits in the past two games. They beat Washington Tuesday, 22-12, when they had 26 hits.

Ramirez tripled and singled twice against his former team. The front-runner for the Marlins' shortstop job, he was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett to the Red Sox.

Rookie Dan Uggla hit a two-run homer, a double and a sacrifice fly for the young Marlins, who had 16 hits and scored in every inning. They improved to 5-1.

"It's important for them to get confidence playing at this level," manager Joe Girardi said. "And when I say playing at this level, I mean by winning."

Boston totaled three hits against six pitchers. Florida starter Renyel Pinto threw two scoreless innings and earned the win.

Red Sox starter David Pauley gave up three runs and five hits in three innings and was the loser.