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Marlins, Mets begin set at Citi Field

Sep 21, 2012 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - Jacob Turner will try to build off his first victory with the Miami Marlins as he toes the rubber on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the New York Mets.

Acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 23 as part of a package for infielder Omar Infante and starter Anibal Sanchez, Turner has gone 1-2 with a 3.75 earned run average in four starts and turned in perhaps his best major league appearance last time out.

The 21-year-old hurled a career-high seven scoreless innings in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, scattering two hits and a pair of walks while striking out three.

"I was just being aggressive early, trying to get ahead as much as I could," Turner said of his outing. "When I didn't get ahead, I was able to make quality pitches when I was behind in the count and not really give in."

The right-hander went 1-1 with an 8.03 ERA in three starts with the Tigers this season before the trade and will face the Mets for the first time.

Jon Niese eyes a new career high for wins in a season as he gets the call for the Mets.

Niese moved to 11-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 28 starts this season after beating the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. He yielded two runs on six hits over six innings, walking three and striking out five to snap a three-start slide. He also set a new career best with 177 innings pitched this season.

The 25-year-old southpaw has not allowed more than three runs in six straight outings since a loss to the Marlins on Aug. 7. He was tagged for four runs over six frames of that loss, falling to 1-5 with a 4.64 ERA in nine career meetings.

New York should have a chip on its shoulder tonight after a lopsided 16-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The Phillies brought 13 hitters to the plate in an eight-run first inning and never looked back.

Jeremy Hefner became the first Mets starter since John Maine in 2010 to not record an out, allowing the first seven batters to reach base on six hits and a walk. All seven runners scored.

The Mets, who have lost five straight and fell to 4-24 at home since the All- Star break, didn't get their second hit of the game until a Mike Baxter homer in the fifth inning.

The Mets have scored three runs or less in 16 consecutive home games

"Obviously we aren't hitting," Mets first baseman Ike Davis said. "Nothing's really falling."

The Marlins were off on Thursday after getting shut out 3-0 by the Atlanta Braves the previous day. It was Miami's sixth loss in nine games.

Josh Johnson surrendered all three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings to absorb the loss.

"The first three innings it was all over the place," Johnson said. "They were just fouling balls off and getting deep in their counts. I was getting guys down 0-2 or 1-2 and letting them back in. I can't do that."

The Mets have won four straight over the Marlins and lead the season series 8-4.