MIAMI -- Boosted by a torrid stretch at the plate, the Pittsburgh Pirates have returned to .500 again. Judging by the hitting and pitching they got on Saturday, they could have a winning record soon. Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer and Jody Mercer also went deep, leading the Pirates to an 8-6 victory over the Miami Marlins. Josh Harrison and Chris Stewart had three hits apiece, and the Pirates finished with 18 overall in their sixth consecutive game in double digits. Touted rookie Gregory Polanco had two hits and two RBIs. "When you put people on base, you can do a lot," McCutchen said. "Getting on the board first definitely helps us. Weve got a lot of guys swinging the bat, basically from one to nine." The Pirates (34-34) have won four straight and five of six to get back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 following a victory over Milwaukee on April 17. "You believe in the talent and you believe in the guys on the team," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "You just dig in and you go. These guys have been resilient in challenging times." Pittsburgh right-hander Charlie Morton (4-7) pitched seven effective innings for his third consecutive win. He allowed two runs and five hits to improve to 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his last five starts. "Its nothing special, nothing different," Morton said. "I just go out there and do my job." Marcell Ozuna and Jeff Baker each hit a two-run homer for Miami in the ninth. Jason Grilli then replaced Stolmy Pimentel and allowed a single to Rafael Furcal before retiring Chris Johnson for his 10th save in 13 opportunities. In the series opener Friday, the Pirates a squandered a 6-2 lead in the ninth and needed 13 innings for an 8-6 win. "Its nice to get a win though," Mercer said. "Thats all that matters. As long as were on top in the end with the third out, well take it." Mercer hit a leadoff home in the second and McCutchen connected in the fourth, making it 5-0 with a drive to left for his 11th of the season. McCutchen extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He is hitting .439 (18 for 41) in June. "Im just getting pitches to hit and Im hitting them," he said. Marlins starter Randy Wolf (1-3) allowed five runs and nine hits in four innings. "It was embarrassingly bad," Wolf said. "Its frustrating to physically feel fine but not have command of your pitches. The only thing you can do is get better, but, right now, its frustrating." McCutchen also made a sliding catch to rob Furcal of a base hit in the fifth. Furcal is 1 for 11 since rejoining the Marlins on Friday from hamstring and groin injuries that sidelined him for the teams first 65 games. Ozuna had a run-scoring triple in Miamis two-run fourth, but Pittsburgh added three more in the fifth. Mercer doubled home a run against Kevin Slowey and Morton helped himself with a run-scoring sacrifice squeeze. Polanco added a run-scoring single for an 8-2 lead. "Give our offence credit for coming back there at the end," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "It continues to show the character of our guys - they dont quit." NOTES: Harrison missed the last two games because of left ankle discomfort. ... Pittsburgh called up veteran RHP Vance Worley from Triple-A Indianapolis so he can start on Sunday against Miami. Worley, 26, will be making his debut with the Pirates, who acquired him on March 25 from the Twins for cash considerations. He has a career record of 19-18 with a 4.05 ERA while pitching parts of three seasons with the Phillies and last year with the Twins. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez is Miamis scheduled starter for Sundays series finale ... Marlins LF Christian Yelich got the day off after he left Fridays game in the first inning with a lower-back injury. 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The 27-year-old goaltender from Edmonton backstopped the Canadian womens hockey team to Olympic gold Feb.ASHBURN, Va. -- Off the field, Robert Griffin III has decided hes no Bill Belichick. On the field, he moved a step closer toward a Week 1 return Wednesday when he took full-speed, full-team snaps against the first-string defence for the first time since his knee surgery. The Washington Redskins are home from training camp, but the new setting doesnt change the teams overriding narrative. The Sept. 9 Monday night regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles is less than three weeks away, and the question remains whether the franchise player who says hell be ready to go will indeed be ready to go. "My eyes are set on Philly," he said. To achieve that goal, he must get the OK from his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, who examined Griffins reconstructed right knee on Monday and will do so again after the final preseason game. Even if Andrews says all is well, the final decision will rest with coach Mike Shanahan. "If the doctor felt like he wasnt ready to play, I surely wouldnt play him," Shanahan said. "But Dr. Andrews could tell me that he is ready, and if I thought something was wrong with Robert through our practice, I wouldnt put him out there." Shanahan limited Griffin to 7-on-7 drills for most of training camp, then last week allowed the quarterback to run some 11-on-11 plays against a scout team defence for the first time. Wednesday was another benchmark. Most of the practice was closed to reporters, but the coach made it sound as if Griffin was working more or less like a regular starting quarterback. "We see progress," Shanahan said. "One of the reasons we didnt throw him right into the fire is we didnt think he was ready right away. If he keeps on progressing like he has been, hell be ready for Monday night." Griffin thinks he should have been progressing even faster, and his comments last week that he disagreed with Shanahans cautious practice plan created such a stir that the quarterback felt the need to make a special statement the following day to say there was "no conflict" between him and coach. Griffins popularity is enhanced by his willingness to speak his mind publicly, but he said the backlash had him considering whether he should clam up. "I sat down and talked to a few people to make a decision: Do I stop being who I am, stop being honest with you guys and give you guys ammunition to turn against this team, or do I just go into a shell and Bill Belichick it all week?" Griffin said. "Im just going to continue to be who I am. And if something like that does happen, you make the statement to make sure everybody gets its cleear.dddddddddddd But I dont think I can change who I am just because people are going to take my words and put them against me." Meanwhile, Griffins backup, Kirk Cousins, did not practice Wednesday after spraining his right foot in the Monday night preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was using crutches and wearing an immobilizing boot after that game, but both were gone when he appeared in the locker room around lunchtime. "Im still walking a little gingerly," he said, "but its getting better every day." Cousins confirmed that an MRI showed "nothing serious, nothing long-term" with his injury. Shanahan said Cousins is a "long shot" to play Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. "The balance between healing and wanting to play is what every athlete has to face," Cousins said. "Right now in the preseason, its probably more important to rest and get healthy so that youre there during the season." Griffin debuted an "Operation Patience" T-shirt when he was working out before Monday nights game. Now Cousins could use one. "Well see if Robert has one for me," Cousins said. In one respect, he timed his injury perfectly. Wednesday marked the first practice at the newly renovated Redskins Park, where the outdated training facilities have been upgraded as part of a $30 million makeover partially funded by taxpayers. "Between the cafeteria and the hot and cold tub and the underwater treadmill -- which I think Im going to put to use here later today -- and the weight room, its spectacular," Cousins said. "When you get injured, you start to appreciate having the improved facilities." Notes: Shanahans relationship with Griffin isnt nearly as contentious as the one he had with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth a few years ago. When told Wednesday that Haynesworth was opening a restaurant in Knoxville, Tenn., the coach smiled and said: "I hope he has a good crew working for him." ... Even though hes from Michigan State, Cousins was wearing a Nebraska T-shirt when he entered the locker room. He changed to another shirt before talking to reporters. Why? Because Nebraska gear is sponsored by Adidas, and the NFL has a deal with Nike. "I cant be getting fined on a league minimum," Cousins said. ... Shanahan said DT Barry Cofield (broken bone in right hand) would be able to play Saturday if it were a regular season game. WRs Aldrick Robinson (bruised left thigh) and Leonard Hankerson (bruised right knee) practiced. RB Keiland Williams (strained left knee) did not. ' ' '