Miami @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2012 ) Miami 7, Milwaukee 6
The Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers have engaged in a pair of wild contests to begin their three-game set. Thursday's series finale will likely be no different as the clubs vie for the series win. After Gaby Sanchez homered with two outs in the ninth inning to tie Wednesday's contest, Hanley Ramirez had an RBI single in the 10th to propel Miami to a 7-6 win. The triumph snapped the Marlins' 10-game losing skid to the Brewers.
The victory was just one of two for Miami on Wednesday as it acquired first baseman Carlos Lee from the Houston Astros for promising third baseman Matt Dominguez and left-hander Rob Rasmussen. The addition of Lee should provide some pop in the lineup for Miami, which promptly optioned Sanchez to Triple-A New Orleans after the contest. The loss prevented Milwaukee from securing its season-high fifth straight victory.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSFL (Miami), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Mark Buehrle (7-8, 3.48 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Michael Fiers (3-2, 2.29)
Buehrle has won two in a row following a four-game losing skid. The 33-year-old allowed two runs on seven hits in as many innings in a 3-2 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. Buehrle has faced Milwaukee on two occasions, recording a 6.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP - but has yet to claim a decision.
Fiers continued his hot stretch by scattering two hits and striking out a career-best 10 batters in a win over Arizona on Saturday. The rookie has not allowed a run in his last three appearances (14 1/3 innings). Fiers has yet to face Miami in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Marlins All-Star OF Giancarlo Stanton missed his second straight game with a sore knee. Stanton said that he is aiming for a return Friday versus St. Louis.
2. Milwaukee's Norichika Aoki extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single during a five-run second inning. He has yet to face Buehrle.
3. Justin Ruggiano went deep for the third straight contest on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to seven games.