New York @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2012 ) NY Mets 3, Miami 0
It has been a season of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations for Miami, and perhaps no other Marlins player embodies the frustration of a lost season than Josh Johnson. The right-hander starts the middle game of the three-game set hoping to turn around a season that has evolved into the worst of his career. The Marlins have scored two runs or less in 13 of Johnson’s 26 starts, and he looks to snap a four-start losing streak. The New York Mets won the series opener Friday 3-0 and have won five of their past six games after a six-game losing streak.
New York starts rookie Jeremy Hefner, who pitched eight strong innings against the Astros in his last outing. The Mets lead the season series 6-4. New York will host Miami from Sept. 21-23, then end the season with three games Oct. 1-3 in Miami. One new piece for the Marlins has turned out well: First baseman Carlos Lee, acquired in a trade with Houston earlier this season, has 33 RBIs in 50 games in a Marlins uniform.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Fox Sports Florida (Miami).
PITCHING MATCHUP: New York RH Jeremy Hefner (2-5, 4.65 ERA) vs. Miami RH Josh Johnson (7-11, 4.00).
Hefner comes in after the best start of his young career, limiting Houston to five hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts in a no-decision. In 25 2/3 innings in August (six games, three starts), Hefner walked two and struck out 13. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Marlins on Aug. 8.
Johnson is one loss away from matching his total from 2009-2011 (70 starts) and has lost four consecutive starts for the first time in the same season. Johnson ended August with a 1-4 record despite a respectable 3.86 ERA. He is 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami 2B Donovan Solano’s hit streak ended at 12 games Friday.
2. New York C Josh Thole is mired in a miserable slump. Thole does not have a hit in his last 28 at-bats.
3. Miami is 30-33 at home in its first season at Marlins Park.