Marlins 2 - 3 Mets
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Mets target sweep of Marlins at Citi Field

Sep 23, 2012 - 1:41 PM

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(Sports Network) - The New York Mets have had little to cheer about in the second half of this season, but they can pick up their second straight three- game sweep of the Miami Marlins.

The Mets entered this weekend's series with one win over a 12-game span, but have since limited the Marlins to three runs in each contest this weekend. They also swept the Marlins in a three-game set in Miami from Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 by a 13-4 count.

Chris Young gets an opportunity to send the Mets to the whitewash today. The right-hander is coming off a loss at Milwaukee a week ago when he allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings. He's 0-4 in seven home starts this year, but 3-1 in five career starts against the Marlins.

Ricky Nolasco counters for the Marlins. The righty has issued just one walk over his last 34 innings, and has struck out 22 batters in that span. Nolasco is 5-8 in 23 appearances (21 starts) against the Mets. He's 3-0 over his last four starts overall, having thrown a pair of shutouts in that time.

Yesterday, R.A. Dickey pitched into the ninth inning and Jon Rauch overcame a John Buck three-run homer to close out a Mets 4-3 victory.

Dickey (19-6) tossed eight scoreless innings before putting two runners on in the ninth. Charged with two runs on six hits, Dickey praised the defense behind him.

"They might not see the knuckleball well, but I try and get the hitter out of the batter's box in three pitches or less" said Dickey. "Fortunately they hit some balls at guys today and they made some pretty good plays.".

Rauch earned his fourth save of the season in the victory.

Jason Bay and Scott Hairston each hit homers for New York, which has won two in a row on the heels of a five-game skid.

Mark Buehrle (13-13) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks for the Marlins, who have dropped five of six overall.

"He gave up a couple of hits, two of them really hurt," said Buck regarding Buehrle's performance. "He got a couple of pitches up that Bay and Hairston obviously put good wood on."

Miami is 4-10 against the Mets in 2012, including a 2-6 mark at Citi Field.

The Mets have won the last six meetings.






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