Florida @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2011 ) Florida 3, Pittsburgh 0

THE STORY: It appears the Florida Marlins have put their road troubles behind them. After pounding out a season-high 22 hits in Friday's 13-4 rout over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida watched Anibal Sanchez throw a one-hitter in a 3-0 triumph Saturday. The Marlins, who had lost nine of their previous 11 games away from home, try to complete a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh on Sunday and improve to 3-0 on their 11-game road trip. The Pirates are 2-3 on their nine-game homestand.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN (Florida), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Javier Vazquez (9-11, 4.29 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (9-7, 3.98 ERA).

Vazquez is coming off back-to-back victories over the New York Mets in which he allowed a total of one run and one walk with 13 strikeouts in 14 innings. The 35-year old has yielded three earned runs or less in eight straight starts and 14 of his last 15. Vazquez, who is looking to reach double digits in wins for the 12th straight season, has won three consecutive decisions against Pittsburgh but has not faced the Pirates since June 11, 2009.

McDonald also has been stingy as he has surrendered three or fewer runs in 18 of his last 20 outings. He limited Houston to one run and three hits over 7 1/3 innings in a victory on Monday. McDonald is 5-1 in 14 starts at home this season and has won four straight decisions at PNC Park.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (65-79): It was hard to believe Sanchez won just one of his previous 15 starts after watching his performance Saturday. Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter against Arizona on Sept. 6, 2006, allowed only a second-inning double by Neil Walker and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts. Outfielders Mike Stanton, Mike Cameron and Logan Morrison all sat out Saturday's game. Stanton and Cameron have strained right hamstrings while Morrison suffered a bruised left knee on Friday.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (66-79): Derrek Lee is 21-for-56 (.375) lifetime against Vazquez with three home runs and 16 RBIs. Lee went 0-for-4 on Saturday, marking just the second time he has gone hitless in 12 games with Pittsburgh since being acquired from Baltimore on July 30. Jeff Locke made his major-league debut Saturday and took the loss after allowing three runs and five hits with four walks and one strikeout in five innings. Locke was the 51st player to appear in a game for Pittsburgh this season, tying the franchise record originally set last year.

FINAL PITCH: The Pirates will honor the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks during a pregame ceremony Sunday, the 10-year anniversary of the disastrous events. The U.S. Army Field Band Choir will perform the National Anthem, a Marine corporal will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and monetary donations will be collected to help benefit the construction of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.