Washington @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) Washington 5, Miami 1
The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins picked up where they left off as they began their respective second halves of the season. Ryan Zimmerman homered as Washington became the first National League team to record 50 wins following its 5-1 road triumph over the Marlins on Friday. The Nationals will vie for their seventh victory in nine outings on Saturday as Miami native Gio Gonzalez attempts to become the majors' first 13-game winner.
Veteran Mark Buehrle will head to the mound for Miami, which will do its best to slow down Gonzalez while trying to jump-start its fading season. The Marlins, who have lost three in a row and 22 of their last 32, are attempting to tread water as they wait for the return of Giancarlo Stanton. The All-Star outfielder was walking without crutches for the first time since two cartilage chips were removed from his knee earlier in the week.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSFL (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (12-3, 2.92 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Mark Buehrle (8-8, 3.25)
Gonzalez extended his winning streak to four games with a sizzling effort versus Colorado last Saturday. The 26-year-old permitted one run on three hits in six innings. Gonzalez has yet to face Miami this season, but owns a sparkling 7-1 mark away from home in 2012.
Buehrle has rebounded from a four-game skid to win his last three starts. The 33-year-old recorded two scoreless outings in that stretch - including an eight-strikeout gem over 7 2/3 innings in a 4-0 win over Milwaukee on July 5. Buehrle won his lone career decision versus Washington, but owns a gaudy 6.23 ERA and allowed the Nationals to bat .327 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hanley Ramirez, who traditionally bats third in the lineup, was shifted to the No. 5 spot on Friday. The Marlins' third baseman had also struggled in the No. 2 spot, batting .211 with just one homer and six RBIs in 19 games.
2. Zimmerman's two-run homer in the third inning was his ninth blast of the season - and fourth since July 1. He also has 15 against the Marlins, the most against any club. Zimmerman has yet to face Buehrle in his career.
3. Miami's Logan Morrison saw his 11-game hitting streak come to an end after an 0-for-4 effort on Friday.