Marlins Could Be Close To Receiving A Boost
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MIAMI (AP) -- With Henderson Alvarez on a minor league rehab stint, the Miami Marlins' starting rotation could be close to receiving a boost. It could also be said it got that lift when Alvarez's injury opened a spot for David Phelps.
Phelps will try to continue strengthening his case to remain a starter when the Atlanta Braves open a three-game series in Miami on Friday night.
Alvarez landed on the disabled list April 13 with shoulder inflammation, and the club's opening-day starter could return to the majors next week.
Phelps (2-0, 2.90 ERA) struggled out of the bullpen early on, but in five starts since entering the rotation, he's 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. The right-hander limited San Francisco to a run in six innings of Saturday's 6-2 road victory.
"I'm not going out trying to be an ace," Phelps told MLB's official website. "I'm not trying to take over what (Alvarez) was doing. I'm trying to give us a chance to win every time we go out. That's what I do every time I take the hill. I try to give us a chance to win a ballgame."
The Marlins (16-19) haven't taken two in a row since a four-game win streak April 28-May 2. They're 4-7 since, and part of the blame lies with the bullpen.
Miami relievers had a 3.92 ERA through 24 games, but they've posted a 6.16 mark in the last 11. They did deliver 3 2-3 scoreless innings in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers as the Marlins salvaged one of three in Los Angeles.
"Unfortunately we can't go back and change the games we had a chance to win but getting this win is good," reliever Bryan Morris said.
The Braves (15-19) have won four of six in the season series and seven of nine in Miami over the last year, including a three-game sweep at Marlins Park to open 2015.
Julio Teheran (3-1, 4.74) was a part of that, but since winning his first two starts, he's been battered by the home run, surrendering eight in 26 innings over five starts that have resulted in a 1-1 record and 6.23 ERA. The right-hander gave up six runs and 10 hits - two homers - with three walks in five innings of Saturday's 8-6 loss in Washington.
Much of the recent damage has come in two starts against the Nationals, and Teheran has been considerably better against the Marlins. He's 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine starts, including a 2-1 victory on opening day April 6 in which he allowed a run and eight hits in six innings.
Giancarlo Stanton is 3 for 24 with eight strikeouts in their matchups and Dee Gordon is 3 for 11, which is comparatively bad for the second baseman against Atlanta. He's a career .358 hitter in 22 games against the Braves, tied for his best average against any team he's faced in more than five games.
After going 0 for 8 in his previous two contests, Gordon was 4 for 5 with two doubles Wednesday to get his average up to .426.
Atlanta has had its offensive struggles lately, losing five of six and getting two hits in Wednesday's 5-1 loss at Cincinnati.
Kelly Johnson left with an oblique strain and the cleanup hitter is headed to the 15-day disabled list. After a slow start, he'd posted a .921 OPS with 18 RBIs in 21 games.
"(Johnson) is a guy who can hit behind (Freddie) Freeman in the lineup and at least give opposing managers some thought about putting Freeman on or pitching around him," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We'll figure out who will hit behind Freeman."
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