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Marlins aim to avoid Phillies' brooms

Sep 14, 2014 - 12:32 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins turn to Tom Koehler on Sunday afternoon when they try to avoid getting swept in a three-game series by the hosting Philadelphia Phillies.

The right-hander faced Milwaukee on Tuesday and posted his fourth consecutive no-decision, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings of work. It marked his sixth straight outing of allowing three runs or fewer and he is unbeaten over that time, going 2-0.

That run has pushed Koehler's season record to 9-9 to go with a 3.74 earned run average. He is 1-1 lifetime versus the Phillies with a 4.12 ERA in five games (3 starts).

Though winless since Aug. 6, Phillies starter David Buchanan has not allowed more than three runs in six starts since and looks to claim a victory today, one that would even his record on the season.

Buchanan has not factored into the outcome of his last four starts, including Philadelphia's victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The right-hander was lifted after six innings, charged with three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and three walks.

"You never want to come out of a game, obviously ... but being here, with the bullpen the way it is, you're pretty confident it's shut down from then on," Buchanan said.

The 25-year-old rookie is 6-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 17 starts this year and will face the Marlins for the second time. He beat them on June 24, hurling five innings of two-run ball.

The Phillies handed the Marlins their fourth straight setback with a 2-1 win on Saturday, getting a pair of first-inning RBI from Marlon Byrd and Maikel Franco.

That was all Kyle Kendrick needed as he held the Marlins to just one run -- a solo homer by Garrett Jones in the second inning -- over 6 1/3 innings of work.

"Well-pitched game," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Good at-bat by Franco, then a big double by Byrd."

Brad Hand limited the Phillies to two runs on four hits over six innings in the tough-luck loss.

"We had a couple of chances to add on some runs," said Marlins manager Mike Redmond. "I thought Brad Hand pitched great other than the first inning when he gave up a couple of runs."

Philadelphia has won seven of nine at home this season versus the Marlins.