San Diego @ Florida preview
Sun Life Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2011 ) San Diego 14, Florida 3
THE STORY: The San Diego Padres exploded for 14 runs Wednesday, but Dustin Moseley probably wishes they saved some for Thursday. Moseley, who hasn't received much run support lately, and the Padres will try to finish off a three-game sweep of the host Florida Marlins.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Dustin Moseley (2-9, 3.36 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Javier Vazquez (6-8, 5.14).
Moseley has lost his last three decisions and the Padres haven't scored more than one run in any of them. His last win came June 3, when he allowed one run over seven innings in a 3-1 victory against Houston. Moseley has never faced the Marlins. Vazquez has turned things around after a rough start to the season, winning his last two starts and three of his last four decisions. He has lowered his ERA from 7.09 to 5.14 over his last six starts. In 17 starts against the Padres, Vazquez is 5-4 with a 3.00 ERA.
ABOUT THE PADRES (43-55): The Padres have won nine of their last 11 games in Miami, and this visit has certainly changed their fortunes. San Diego had lost eight of nine going into the series, but the National League's least potent offense has sprung to life in South Florida. They set a season-high for runs in Wednesday's 14-3 win, posting their highest run total since an 18-6 win over the Mets on May 31, 2010. San Diego last won a series when it swept three games at Kansas City from June 27-29.
ABOUT THE MARLINS (47-51): After winning nine of 10 entering the series, the Marlins have gone quiet at the plate in the first two games of the series. They were shut out on six hits in Tuesday's opener and went hitless until the fourth inning Wednesday. Emilio Bonifacio continues to get on base in the leadoff spot - he extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games with a single Wednesday.
FINAL PITCH: The Padres have been shut out five times in Moseley's 18 starts and held to one run in four of his outings. They average 2.36 runs in games he starts.