Koehler, Marlins Try Again For First Win Against Last Place Braves
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
ATLANTA (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – Playoff teams generally beat the teams they're supposed to beat.
The Miami Marlins are failing to make up ground in the National League East due in large part to their inability to solve the division's resident cellar dweller.
The Marlins look to prevent being swept by the NL-worst Atlanta Braves for the second time this season when the clubs conclude their three-game series at Turner Field on Sunday.
Nick Markakis has distanced himself from a disastrous stretch (1-for-24, .042) by driving in a pair of runs in each contest of this set while extending his hitting streak versus Miami to nine games.
The 32-year-old looks to keep the good times going versus Sunday starter Tom Koehler, against whom he is a blistering 9-for-14 (.643) with four RBIs.
While Atlanta's 7-2 triumph on Saturday accounted for just its fourth home win in 24 contests, a primary cause of concern for fourth-place Miami this season has been its record against division rivals (10-17).
Derek Dietrich is 8-for-16 (.500) in his last four games overall but just 1-for-9 with a pair of strikeouts versus Sunday starter Julio Teheran.
TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (2-5, 4.79 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (1-4, 2.57)
Koehler fell to 0-3 in his last five outings after allowing three runs and six hits over five innings in a 4-3 setback against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old has struggled mightily with his control, issuing five walks in each of his last three turns. Koehler will look for a better performance versus Atlanta after getting shredded for six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 frames of a 6-4 loss on April 16.
Teheran deserved a better fate on Tuesday as the 25-year-old Colombian struck out a career-best 12 batters while allowing one run and three hits in seven innings of a no-decision versus Milwaukee.
Teheran has yielded just four earned runs in his last seven starts but has a 1-2 record to show for it.
He has fared well versus Miami, however, posting a 5-2 record in 12 career encounters as the Braves attempt to repeat last month's feat of sweeping the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
- Atlanta 3B Gordon Beckham is 6-for-14 (.429) with two homers, five RBIs and four runs scored during his last four contests.
- Miami OF Marcell Ozuna is riding a 10-game hitting streak.
- Braves SS Daniel Castro went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in place of Erick Aybar, who on Saturday was put on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right foot.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sports Direct Inc. contributed to this report.)
