Miami @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2012 ) Miami 3, Pittsburgh 4
The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to extend their winning streak to four games Saturday when they host the Miami Marlins in the second game of their three-game series at PNC Park. One of the biggest surprises in baseball, Pittsburgh is one-half game behind Cincinnati in the National League thanks in part to its major league-best 30-14 home record. The Pirates have won 19 of their last 23 in their own ballpark.
Pittsburgh also has flexed its muscles this season. It is tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the most home runs thus far this month (26) and has gone deep 103 times through 92 games after hitting a total of 107 shots over the entire 2011 campaign. The Marlins went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position Friday and are 1-for-23 in that situation during their three-game losing streak. Miami, which has dropped 11 of 15 on the road, did not have third baseman Hanley Ramirez in the starting lineup. Ramirez, who entered in the ninth inning as a pinch runner and stole a base, is suffering from a swollen and infected right hand.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Carlos Zambrano (5-7, 4.22 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (10-3, 3.78)
Zambrano ended his personal four-game losing streak Monday, allowing three runs over six innings against Washington for his first victory since June 3. The 31-year-old Venezuelan has surrendered at least three earned runs in each of his last seven starts. Zambrano is 13-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 career games - 28 starts - against the Pirates.
Burnett is coming off his first loss in 13 outings as he yielded four runs in seven innings at Milwaukee on Monday. The enigmatic 35-year-old won his previous nine decisions. Burnett, who is 6-0 with a 2.10 ERA in nine home starts, lost his only career outing against the Marlins in 2009 while with the New York Yankees despite allowing only one earned run in 6 1/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami stole four bases Friday, raising its major league-leading total to 92.
2. Marlins SS Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to eight games in the series opener with his 17th career leadoff home run.
3. The Pirates lead the major leagues with 89 runs in July.