NewsMarlins need innings from Nolasco
Florida (67-61) vs. San Diego (55-75), 6:10 p.m. ET
By David Villavicencio / MLB.com
08/29/09 1:07 AM ET
MIAMI -- After a rough start from Chris Volstad on Friday, the Marlins will look for a solid outing from one of their top starters on Saturday as they try to even the series against the Padres. Ricky Nolasco has been one of Florida's top pitchers since returning from a brief Minor League stint on June 7. Following a game where the Marlins bullpen threw 7 1/3 innings, Nolasco will look to go deep into the game to help save his bullpen and put the team in a position to win. "I think it's probably the most important part because when the starters go out there and have a quality start, we pretty much win every single game," Nolasco said. "It starts with the starting pitching and with the offense that we have, as long as we keep our team close and go six or seven and give up no more than three or four, we should be in a good position to win." The Marlins pitching staff will be counted on to keep opposing offenses in check over the final 34 games as the team makes a push for a playoff spot. Nolasco says the additional importance of the remaining games will not affect the starters' pregame routines. "I stay the same," Nolasco said of his pregame preparation in the heart of a playoff race. "We're professionals and we know how to deal with those things. People might say we're young but I don't think that it's anything over our heads that we can't do." The 26-year-old has been preparing for his start against the Padres for a few days and is well aware of what their lineup is capable of. "That's a good lineup over there," Nolasco said. "They've got good hitters, especially in the middle of the order with Adrian Gonzalez and [Kevin] Kouzmanoff. You've really got to minimize the top of the order and when their big boppers come up you've got to put them away. Then, you've got to manage the bottom of the order to make sure you don't let those guys beat you. They're going to be tough just like any other Major League team." Following a loss in the series opener, Nolasco knows his start is even more important for the Marlins' playoff hopes. The nine-game winner hopes to help his team even the series and be in position to take the three-game set on Sunday. "We have to win every series from here on out, including some sweeps," Nolasco said. "We've got a big series with these guys and we can't take them lightly because they've been playing well. They just took two of three from Atlanta and we all know that's a good team. We've got to come out with our 'A' game early and take this series before our big series with Atlanta next week." Pitching matchupFLA: RHP Ricky Nolasco (9-8, 5.31 ERA)
It was a struggle from the start for Nolasco in his last start. The right-hander yielded a three-run homer to Brian McCann in the first inning at Turner Field. He exited after 4 1/3 innings with the bases loaded at Atlanta, with his team ahead, 5-4. He threw 95 pitches. Nolasco was coming off a three-hit, complete-game win at Houston on Aug. 18, a game in which he threw 115 pitches. This will be his second meeting with the Padres. At San Diego on July 22, he threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits. SD: Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 14.54 ERA)
The move won't be official until after the game, but the Padres will likely go with LeBlanc to pitch the second of a three-game series against the Marlins on Saturday. The 25-year-old hasn't started in the big leagues since June 25, when he gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings against the Mariners. This will be his eighth Major League appearance and seventh start, as he went 1-3 with an 8.02 ERA as a September call-up last year. LeBlanc has made 24 appearances (20 starts) for Triple-A Portland this season, going 4-9 with a 3.87 ERA. The Louisiana native struck out 95 batters and walked 31. LeBlanc, a second-round pick by the Padres in 2006, will be making his first career appearance against the Marlins.
Tidbits
Nick Johnson appears to be getting closer to restoring his injured right hamstring to full strength. The first baseman was seen doing rigorous box jumps prior to Friday's game. ... Andrew Miller threw 59 pitches over three scoreless innings on Thursday for the Gulf Coast League Marlins. The left-hander may be called up as soon as Sept. 1, when rosters expand. ... Burke Badenhop struck out the side in the first of 3 1/3 innings for Class-A Jupiter. The right-hander, who allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out six, is likely to rejoin the team when rosters expand. ... Brian Sanches' 25 2/3 home scoreless innings streak was snapped with one out in the third inning on Friday when Tony Gwynn scored on an Everth Cabrera double. The streak was the longest by a Marlins reliever and third longest in franchise history. ... Marlins first-round pick Chad James will work out at Land Shark Stadium on Saturday. The left-hander was the 18th overall selection in the 2009 First Year Player Draft.
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• Sunday: Marlins (Sean West, 5-5, 4.44) vs. Padres (Mat Latos, 4-3, 4.06), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Marlins (Josh Johnson, 13-3, 3.04) vs. Braves (Tim Hudson, 0-0, 0.00), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Marlins (Anibal Sanchez, 2-5, 4.96) vs. Braves (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET
David Villavicencio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
