San Diego @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2012 ) San Diego 7, Miami 2
The San Diego Padres might as well forward their mail because they have made themselves at home in Miami. The Padres will vie for their 10th straight road victory over the Marlins when the teams play the second contest of their three-game set on Saturday. Rookie Yasmani Grandal ripped a bases-clearing triple and fellow former University of Miami star Yonder Alonso added an RBI single in Friday's 7-2 victory.
The Marlins have lost three straight and eight of nine to watch a once-promising season unravel in a hurry. Jose Reyes is not to blame, however. Batting third in the lineup for the first time since 2010, Reyes had an RBI triple to extend his hitting streak to 14 games on Friday. Reyes, who needs one more hit to match his season high, is 2-for-2 with a homer in his career versus Saturday starter Ross Ohlendorf.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), FSFL (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ross Ohlendorf (3-0, 5.16 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-6, 4.15)
Ohlendorf has kept the ball in the park, yielding just three homers in his last eight outings spanning 29 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old surrendered two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings to receive a no-decision on Sunday versus Colorado. Ohlendorf has yet to face the Marlins this season.
Eovaldi will make his first start for the Marlins since coming over in the Hanley Ramirez deal earlier this week. The 22-year-old allowed one run on seven hits while striking out seven in a no-decision in his last trip to the mound on Sunday. Eovaldi has yet to face the Padres in his brief career.
WALK-OFFS
1. With Zack Greinke being shipped to the Los Angeles Angels, Marlins ace Josh Johnson now becomes arguably the best pitcher left on the trading market. Texas is reportedly the strongest pursuer, while Toronto, Baltimore and the Los Angeles Dodgers are also said to be in the mix.
2. San Diego OF Cameron Maybin returned to the starting lineup for the first time since July 17. The former Marlin, who has been limited due to a sore right wrist, had an RBI double in the seventh inning.
3. Tim Stauffer is expected to throw his third bullpen session of the week on Saturday. The Padres hurler has been sidelined since May 15 with a right elbow strain.