Curtis Granderson and Garrett Cooper hit back-to-back home runs in a four-run third inning and Brian Anderson also went deep as the Miami Marlins opened the second half Friday with an 8-4 victory over the visiting New York Mets.

Left-hander Caleb Smith (5-4) pitched six strong innings in his second start since returning from left hip inflammation as the Marlins defeated the Mets for the fourth consecutive time this year after losing the first five games of the season series.

Wilson Ramos drove in a pair of runs and Todd Frazier hit a late home run, his 12th, as the Mets lost for the fourth time in their past five games and dropped their sixth consecutive road game.

Mets starter Jason Vargas (3-5) gave up six runs on five hits over five-plus innings with a walk and a strikeout. He was chased two batters into the sixth when he gave up a walk to former Met Granderson and an RBI double to Cooper.

Mets rookie Pete Alonso, who hit 30 home runs in the first half and won the Home Run Derby during All-Star Game festivities, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk.

The Mets grabbed the early 2-0 lead in the third inning when Ramos delivered a two-out, bases-loaded single to left field. The Marlins responded in their half of the third scoring all four runs in a succession of three batters. Miguel Rojas hit a sacrifice fly for Miami's first run and Granderson followed with a two-run homer, his eighth.

Cooper hit his ninth homer and gave the Marlins a 4-2 lead by following Granderson's home run to center with one to left field. Anderson added a two-run homer, his 12th, in the sixth off Mets right-hander Robert Gsellman as Miami took a 7-2 lead.

Smith held the Mets in check despite allowing five walks as he threw 105 pitches, the fourth time he has reached triple digits in pitches this season, but the first time he picked up the victory while doing it. He gave up two runs on three hits with six strikeouts as he won consecutive starts for the first time since mid-April.

The Marlins won for the third time in their last four home games after they finished the first half losing six of seven overall.

--Field Level Media