Florida @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2011 ) Florida 1, San Diego 14

THE STORY: Jack McKeon returned for this? His Florida Marlins have lost all six games to the San Diego Padres this season, including Saturday’s 14-1 rout that dropped McKeon’s squad a season-high 12 games under .500. Florida has lost 14 of its last 16 games heading into Sunday’s series finale at Petco Park, and the data isn’t trending Florida’s way. San Diego has won seven of its last eight series finales, including three consecutive Sunday games.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Anibel Sanchez (7-6, 3.97 ERA) at Padres LH Cory Luebke (5-6, 2.99 ERA)

Sanchez ended his five-game losing streak last Tuesday against Colorado when he allowed three runs over eight innings. He is 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts against the Padres.

Luebke, who is making his first career appearance against Florida, is 4-4 with a 2.83 ERA in his 10 starts since joining the rotation on June 26. Luebke has held left-handed batters to the third-lowest batting average in the majors at .147.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (57-69): Omar Infante returned to the lineup on Saturday for the first time since breaking his right middle finger on Aug. 4 against the Cardinals. Infante started at second base, while Jose Lopez moved to first base and Gaby Sanchez was held out of the starting lineup. Sanchez left seven men on base on Friday, and he has three hits in his last 47 at-bats. Sanchez, who hasn’t driven in a run over the past 11 games, is hitting just .184 since the All-Star game. While Sanchez is just one of many Florida players slumping, Lopez continued his recent tear with a home run on Saturday. Lopez has a five-game hitting streak, including three doubles Friday. Mike Stanton was out of the starting lineup Friday with a sore left toe, but he returned on Saturday and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

ABOUT THE PADRES (58-70): The Padres might be far removed from the playoff race, but they’re playing like they’re two games out. San Diego is 18-18 since the All-Star break after going 40-52 in the first half, and its defense is dramatically better. After committing 64 errors in the first half, San Diego’s 12 errors since the All-Star break are the third fewest in the majors. The team’s situational hitting has also improved, and the Padres continue to pitch well out of the bullpen. Newcomers Josh Spence and Erik Hamren are both are making a strong bid for the 2012 roster. Spence has a 1.88 ERA over 24 innings, while Hamren has a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances. Outfielder Chris Denorfia’s return from the disabled list has been delayed after he suffered a setback with his strained right hamstring on Thursday. Reliever Ernesto Frieri (strained lower back) is also on the disabled list, but he could return next week.

FINAL PITCH: The Padres will retire Trevor Hoffman’s No. 51 before Sunday’s game. Hoffman, who owns the major league saves record (601), made his debut in 1993 with the Marlins before he was traded to San Diego.