Miami @ Colorado preview

Miami at Colorado

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2012 ) Miami 3, Colorado 5

After struggling mightily at home, the Colorado Rockies will vie for their fifth straight victory at Coors Field on Friday when they play the second of their four-game series against the Miami Marlins. The Rockies, who lost 14 of 17 prior to sweeping Milwaukee, won Thursday's series opener after rookie Josh Rutledge's pinch-hit RBI triple snapped a tie in the seventh inning en route to a 5-3 win. The victory was Colorado's seventh in 10 outings.

Miami began its 11-game road trip by losing for the fourth time in five contests. Giancarlo Stanton, however, has enjoyed his time at Coors Field - belting four homers in as many games. Stanton has only faced Friday starter Jeff Francis on two occasions, failing to reach base both times.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSFL (Miami), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wade LeBlanc (1-2, 1.45 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jeff Francis (4-4, 5.99)

LeBlanc was brilliant in his last outing, but still came up with the hard-luck loss. The 28-year-old yielded one earned run for the third straight appearance and scattered six hits over seven innings in an eventual 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. LeBlanc is 1-3 in his career versus the Rockies, but has yet to face them this season.

Francis evened his record after allowing three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 9-6 win over Milwaukee on Monday. The 31-year-old British Columbia native has been victimized by the long ball, surrendering homers in each of his last six starts and eight of nine. Francis has also yielded six of his 14 walks in the last three games.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado's Michael Cuddyer made an immediate impact after being activated from the disabled list following a right oblique strain. Cuddyer belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

2. Miami INF Nick Green was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb. INF Gil Velazquez was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and Logan Morrison saw his season come to an end after he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

3. The Rockies' season-high winning streak is five games.