Greg Maddux made his major-league debut on Sept. 2, 1986, and it is doubtful Marlins starter Andrew Miller paid much attention.
Toddlers rarely have more than a passing interest in baseball.
Miller, who was born in 1985, had his best start as a Marlin on Sunday in a 10-3 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dolphin Stadium that denied Maddux his 350th career victory.
Maddux, winless in four attempts at the milestone, is scheduled to go again Saturday against visiting Colorado.
''It was nice to get out there and get deeper into the game,'' said Miller, who pitched a season-high six innings and surrendered a season-low four hits. ``Leaving the game with the lead was nice. I just wanted to throw the ball like I had in the past, just get rid of the thoughts that had been running through my head. I felt like I was where I should be.''
As Maddux, 42, was trying to hit a historic plateau, Miller (2-2) was just trying to give the Marlins a quality start. Miller, a 23-year-old from Gainesville, was a key part of the offseason deal with Detroit that saw Miller and a host of others come south for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.
For the most part, Miller has struggled since joining the Marlins, reaching the sixth inning only once this season. Team management has been supportive of Miller, with the hope he turns into something special. On Sunday, at least, he rewarded the team's faith.
Miller gave up a run in the second and a home run to Adrian Gonzalez in the third, but otherwise was efficient. Miller rarely worked deep into the count, and retired the Padres in order in the fourth and sixth.
It was a refreshing change from past outings, when Miller struggled with control and was constantly in jams. On Sunday, he rarely ran into trouble.
''That was big,'' Miller said. ``It feels good to go out there and pitch. It's by no means my best game -- or what I hope is my best game -- but to go out and give what's considered a pretty decent start is nice.''
Miller was pulled in the bottom of the sixth for pinch-hitter Alfredo Amezaga with runners on base.
Amezaga popped up, but the Marlins soon got two runs and chased Maddux (2-3) from the game.
With two outs, Cody Ross followed Amezaga with a single to right. Brian Giles misplayed the ball, Ross raced to third and a second run scored to make it 5-2.
UGGLA HOMERS AGAIN
The Padres struck first, but the Marlins tied the score in the second when Dan Uggla hit his third homer in as many nights, a solo shot that cleared the scoreboard in left-center. San Diego regained the lead an inning later, when Adrian Gonzalez unloaded on a breaking ball Miller left hanging over the plate.
Florida took the lead back in the fourth, when Uggla's double off the wall in left moved Mike Jacobs to third with one out.
After Luis Gonzalez walked to load the bases, Matt Treanor hit a single that bounced off third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Miller helped his own cause, grounding out to second to score Uggla and make it 3-2.
''I don't think they're going to count on me to be much of a hitter,'' Miller said. ``I by no means hit it hard, but it worked.''
BREATHING ROOM
The Marlins gave themselves some breathing room against the Padres' soft bats with a two-run sixth inning, and broke the game open with three runs in the seventh.
Jacobs' double scored Ramirez, and with the bases loaded, Treanor got his second RBI by walking. The Marlins completed the scoring in the inning on a groundout.
In the eighth inning, Uggla ripped a double down the third-base line to score two more runs. The Marlins have scored 10 runs in four games this season, but have yet to reach 11.
''I think our team has been clicking a lot,'' said Uggla, who was 3 for 4 with three RBI.
``Baseball's a funny game; you have good days and bad. You want to stay as consistent as you can.''
