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Marlins-Braves Preview

Sep 2, 2015 - 4:03 AM The Atlanta Braves have no words to describe their lengthy slide.

Instead, they'll press on trying to avoid their first eight-game home skid in 27 years Wednesday against a Miami Marlins team that's looking to sweep its first road series of the season.

Not even the major league debut of touted Cuban Hector Olivera could help Atlanta (54-78) from falling for the 14th time in the last 15 games, 7-1 on Tuesday. After opening their nine-game homestand with a 5-3 win over Colorado, the Braves have been outscored 60-16 in the last seven.

They haven't dropped eight straight at home since opening 0-9 there in 1988. Miami (54-79), which last swept a series anywhere on the road at Houston in July of last season, hasn't done so at Turner Field since April 2009.

"We all know where we stand,'' said Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who has done his part by going 7 for 17 with four RBIs in his last five games. ''It's not fun. But we'll be here (Wednesday).''

Atlanta didn't get much help from third baseman Olivera, who went 0 for 4 with a strikeout but remains optimistic.

"Overall, I thought it was a good performance, a good effort," he said. "I will continue to build on it, of course.

"This is the best pitching in the world. The pitchers here are not pushovers."

That hasn't been the case for Atlanta starters, who have a 7.02 ERA in the last seven contests.

The Braves will turn to rookie Williams Perez (4-5, 5.56 ERA), who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett after Mike Foltynewicz landed on the disabled list Tuesday with a chest issue. Atlanta has dropped the last seven starts made by Perez, who has a 9.08 ERA in those outings.

He was demoted to the minors after allowing eight runs, five hits and walking three in 1 2-3 innings of Friday's 15-4 loss to the New York Yankees. This will be the right-hander's first appearance against the Marlins, who counter with fellow rookie Adam Conley (2-1, 4.96 ERA).

The left-hander makes his first start against a Braves club he allowed three runs to in three innings of relief during a 9-8 loss Aug. 6. Conley yielded the same amount in five-plus innings of a 4-3 victory at Washington on Friday.

Teammate Justin Bour is 6 for 16 with three home runs and eight RBIs in the last four games.

After not making any call ups on the first day of September, the Marlins are expected to do so as the week goes on.

"We'll have some guys coming in starting (Wednesday)," manager Dan Jennings told MLB's official website. "Most of the guys who will be joining us are on rehab assignments now. Having those guys back will be a big boost for us. It will put us closer to full strength."

Though slugger Giancarlo Stanton is one of them, it's unlikely he'll return before Friday.

Dealing with a bruised knee, fellow outfielder Christian Yelich had two hits with a RBI in his first start since Aug. 26. He's batting .458 with five RBIs in his last six games against the Braves.