Florida @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2011 ) Florida 13, Pittsburgh 4

THE STORY: The Florida Marlins kicked off their 11-game road trip in impressive fashion Friday when they collected a season-high 22 hits in a 13-4 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Florida had lost nine of its previous 11 road games. The teams continue their three-game series Saturday at PNC Park, where the Pirates are 2-2 on their nine-game homestand. Derrek Lee went 1-for-3 and drove in a run for Pittsburgh. Lee is hitting .478 (11-for-23) with eight RBIs in six games since returning from a broken wrist. He has hit safely in 10 of 11 contests since being acquired from Baltimore on July 30. Lefthander Jeff Locke makes his major league debut for the Pirates.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 3.83 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (NR).

Sanchez allowed two unearned runs in six innings against Philadelphia on Sunday but did not receive a decision. The 27-year-old is 1-6 in 15 starts since winning six straight decisions. Sanchez has faced Pittsburgh only twice in his career, going 1-1 while allowing four earned runs in 13 innings. The 23-year-old Locke began the season with Double A Altoona, where he went 7-8 with a 4.03 ERA in 23 games. Locke then posted a 1-2 record and 2.22 ERA in five starts with Triple A Indianapolis.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (66-78): Pittsburgh's Ross Ohlendorf has gone 15 starts without a victory dating back to last year. Ohlendorf's last triumph came July 2, 2010 against Philadelphia. It is his only win in 32 starts since Aug. 18, 2009. Righthander Jeff Karstens is slated to start Tuesday against St. Louis. Karstens has missed two outings with soreness and fatigue in his shoulder.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (64-79): Omar Infante recorded his sixth career two-homer performance and second this season Friday. Infante also went deep twice against the Mets on Aug. 2 in New York. He has one other homer this year, May 21 against Tampa Bay. Florida began its nine-run third inning with six straight hits and finished the frame with a franchise-record 10. The Marlins have won 12 of their last 14 meetings with Pittsburgh. Right fielder Mike Stanton, who was making his first start since Sept. 3, and first baseman Jose Lopez both left the game in the third with strained right hamstrings.

FINAL PITCH: Florida released infielder Alfredo Amezaga on Thursday, two days after designating him for assignment. Amezaga went 6-for-44 (.136) with two RBIs in 20 games after being acquired Aug. 6 from Colorado.