Florida @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2011 ) Florida 3, San Diego 4

THE STORY: While few people expected much from the Adrian Gonzalez-less San Diego Padres this season, the Florida Marlins were a different story. It’s been a disastrous season for the Marlins, who have lost 13 of their last 15 games to fall 11 games under .500. Florida’s starting lineup was barely recognizable on Friday, especially after Mike Stanton was scratched with a sore left toe. He’s hoping to return Saturday when the teams continue their four-game series at Petco Park.

TV: 8:35 p.m. ET, FS Florida, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Clay Hensley (1-4, 4.53 ERA) vs. Padres RH Aaron Harang (11-3, 4.08 ERA).

Hensley gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings while striking out a season-high five against the Rockies last Monday. He is making his third career appearance and first start against his former team. The Marlins are 0-4 in Hensley’s last four starts.

Harang is 6-1 with a 3.62 ERA over his last 13 starts since May 19, but he’s given up 11 runs on 31 hits in his last three outings. Harang is 4-3 with a 6.82 ERA in 11 career starts against the Marlins.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (57-68): When the Marlins posted their starting lineup Friday, it bore little resemblance to the team’s opening day lineup. Stanton was a late scratch, and Chris Coghlan and Logan Morrison were playing for Triple-A New Orleans. As a result, the Marlins’ starting outfield had Bryan Petersen in right field, Mike Cameron in center and Alfredo Amezaga in left field. The cleanup hitter was third baseman Greg Dobbs, who has five home runs in 304 at-bats this season. It’s been a forgettable season for Jose Lopez, but on Friday he became the third Marlins hitter to double a team-record three times in a game this season. He joins Coghlan and Hanley Ramirez on the short list. Gaby Sanchez’s struggles continued Friday when he left seven runners on base. His average has fallen sharply since June 5, when he was hitting .321. He’s batting .266 after going hitless in four at-bats Friday.

ABOUT THE PADRES (57-70): Several Padres are auditioning for spots on the 2012 roster, but nobody has made a stronger statement than Kyle Blanks. He missed a year with elbow reconstruction surgery, but the 24-year-old appears ready to begin the 2012 season as the Padres’ starting left fielder. Blanks hit his fourth home run on Friday, and he’s batting .262 after hitting safely in 11 of his last 15 games. If top prospect Anthony Rizzo isn’t ready next season, Blanks could share time with Jesus Guzman at first base. Either way, expect the Padres to find a way to get the 6-foot-7, 270-pound power hitter into the lineup. Catcher Nick Hundley has been on a tear since returning from the disabled list last Friday, going 11-for-24 (.458) with three triples. He’s eager to finish the season on a high note after missing nearly six weeks following elbow surgery.

FINAL PITCH: A total of 73 of the Padres’ 127 games (57 percent) have been decided by two runs or less, with San Diego posting a 32-41 record.