Marlins Aim For Series Split Against Troublesome Braves
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – There was one positive for the Miami Marlins that came from their series opening loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Ichiro Suzuki's march toward history continues as the Marlins host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday in the finale of a quick two-game series.
Suzuki collected two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 Atlanta victory in 10 innings in the series opener, the 42-year-old moving within 18 hits of becoming the 30th player in major-league history to reach the hallowed 3,000 mark.
But beyond the historical implications, Suzuki's performance this season – he is hitting .353 in his 16th major-league season – has helped the Marlins overachieve through the first half of the season, Miami starting Tuesday tied for the second National League wild-card spot.
Atlanta moved Jace Peterson to the leadoff spot and the second baseman responded Tuesday, going 2-for-5 with a two-run game-tying homer in the eighth and the game-winning RBI-single in the 10th.
The Braves have won six of seven meetings with the Marlins this season and extended their season-best winning streak to six, improving to 8-4 in their past 12 games.
Miami dropped to 12-20 against NL East competition; the Marlins are 25-14 against non-division competition.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (3-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Adam Conley (3-4. 3.94)
Wisler lost four starts in a row as May turned to June and really struggled in his first two outings this month, but held Cincinnati to two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings Thursday for his first victory since May 20.
The 23-year-old made one appearance against the Marlins this season – earning his first career save with a perfect 10th inning April 17. Wisler has received two runs or less of support in half of his 14 starts.
Conley looks to end a six-start winless streak during which he has surrendered three-plus earned runs three times. He went 5 2/3 innings Friday against Colorado, giving up one run on just one hit but walking five in a no-decision.
The 26-year-old gave up two runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Braves on May 27, and notably ended April by throwing 7 2/3 no-hit innings against Milwaukee before being removed from the game.
WALK-OFFS
- Peterson is 12-for-34 with six RBIs in 10 games since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 10.
- The Marlins have committed just three errors since May 29.
- The Braves placed OF Mallex Smith on the disabled list Tuesday with a fractured left thumb; Smith is expected to miss at least eight weeks, and Atlanta promoted INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio from Gwinnett.
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