Miami @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2012 ) Miami 5, Boston 7

The Boston Red Sox finally moved back above the .500 mark and got back one of their injured outfielders when Cody Ross came off the disabled list Tuesday night's win over the Miami Marlins. The positive vibes were tempered, though, when second baseman Dustin Pedroia appeared to aggravate a right thumb injury. Pedroia suffered a torn adductor muscle in his thumb at the end of last month and missed six games. He is expected to undergo further tests Wednesday.

After scoring only seven runs in their previous five games, Miami finally found some offense thanks to Logan Morrison, who had a homer and two doubles for a career-high five RBIs. The end result was an 11th loss in 13 games that dropped the Marlins one game below .500 (33-34) and six games off the pace in the NL East. David Ortiz, Kelly Shoppach and Ross homered for the Red Sox.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSFL (Miami), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (6-5, 4.37 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (7-3, 4.17 ERA)

Nolasco will match up with Doubront for the second time in a week. The veteran righty did not pitch poorly in his last outing, allowing only five hits in six innings, but the Red Sox turned them into four runs - three earned - in a 10-2 rout. Nolasco has received three runs or fewer from the Marlins in seven of his last 10 starts. He also surrendered a homer in his last four outings.

Doubront continues to be a pleasant surprise for Boston and is coming off his best start, striking out a career high-tying nine and going seven innings for his longest outing of the season. Doubront had a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings before Jose Reyes broke it up with a solo homer. He has struggled at Fenway Park, logging a 2-2 record and 5.52 ERA in his six starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett, currently on the 15-day DL, had an MRI exam that revealed no structural damage in his right shoulder. .

2. Miami 1B Gaby Sanchez is in a 4-for-33 skid that has dropped his batting average to .187. He has one homer after swatting 19 in each of the last two seasons.

3. Red Sox LF Carl Crawford could begin a minor-league rehab stint next week and CF Jacoby Ellsbury took batting practice Tuesday at Fenway.