Los Angeles @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 5, Miami 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the majority of the season atop the National League West, but they've had a hard time staying there over the past month. That's a trend they'll try to change when they continue a three-game series at Miami with a share of the division lead. The Dodgers' 5-2 win over the Marlins in the series opener, combined with San Francisco's 3-0 loss to Colorado, pulled Los Angeles even with the Giants.
Veteran right-hander Joe Blanton will try to keep Los Angeles there by earning his first win in Dodger blue, as he squares off against struggling Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco. Former Marlins star Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs in his return to Miami on Friday, giving him 14 RBIs in 15 games with Los Angeles. The Marlins slid into last place in the NL East, a half-game behind Philadelphia at 51-62.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, KCAL, Fox Sports Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Joe Blanton (8-9, 4.52 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (8-11, 4.95)
Blanton makes his second start since coming over from Philadelphia. He held the Cubs to two runs over six innings in his Dodgers debut, marking his fourth straight quality start, but he is winless since beating the Dodgers on July 16. Blanton is 7-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 starts against Miami, including a 1-2 mark and a 4.26 ERA in three starts this season.
Nolasco has lost his first five starts since the All-Star break - and while he hasn't pitched effectively, the Marlins have scored just six runs behind him over that span. He gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings in a loss at Washington on Sunday. Nolasco is 0-2 with a 7.33 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. A day after seeing his career-best 26-game hitting streak snapped, Marlins SS Jose Reyes (hand) was given a day off Friday. He is expected to return to the lineup Saturday but is 6-for-31 (.194) against Blanton.
2. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp went 2-for-4 Friday for his 24th multi-hit performance in 61 games this season. He raised his average to .354.
3. Miami 1B Carlos Lee, whose 14-game hit streak was snapped Friday, is 9-for-18 against Blanton.