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Diamondbacks-Marlins game postponed by rain

May 19, 2009 - 3:44 AM MIAMI(AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks went more than two years without a road rainout. Now they've had two in two days.

The Florida Marlins had a 1-0 lead over the Diamondbacks in the top of the fourth inning Monday night when the game was postponed after a rain delay of 1 hour, 36 minutes. It will made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, starting at 5:10 p.m.

On Sunday, the Diamondbacks' game at Atlanta was postponed, their first road rainout since Sept. 1, 2006, at Washington.

With Tuesday's forecast predicting more rain, a third consecutive rainout could be coming.

"Baseball is built on rhythm, tempo, and getting into a routine," Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. "A little bit of practice today helps staying in that rhythm."

Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren threw 56 pitches in three innings.

"The mound was in real bad shape. I didn't know what was better, to stop the game and have them fix the mound and take a 15-minute break, or just throw through it," Haren said.

Asked if he was upset that the game started, Haren said: "Right now? Obviously, it cost me a start. But in the grand scheme of things it's probably not a big deal."

Haren added he could pitch on short rest but didn't know if that was in the team's best interest.

"I know they pitched me today and moved (Jon) Garland back (but) how many extra days can these other guys get?" Haren said. "Garland can't go out there on nine days' rest and everybody else getting pushed back day after day."

Garland is scheduled to start Tuesday night, with Doug Davis and Bryan Augenstein scheduled to pitch in the doubleheader. Hinch said he was undecided which one would start the first game.

Florida will stick with Josh Johnson on Tuesday night and then start Chris Volstad in Wednesday's first game. Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez did not announce a starter for the nightcap but added Ricky Nolasco might be able to pitch on three days' rest Friday night against Tampa Bay.

Nolasco threw 76 pitches in 3 1-3 innings Monday night, which was supposed to be the opener of a four-game series.

"I felt pretty decent, got on a roll there, but that last inning the field got pretty bad and it was pretty much a lake around the mound," Nolasco said. "You want to grind it out but you have to keep it safe. You don't want to hurt guys."

Monday night's game started on time - with a few hundred fans in the stands - but heavy rain began falling in the top of the first. There was only one delay.

It was the first home postponement for Florida since May 24, 2008, against San Francisco.

Notes: The Marlins were awaiting results of an MRI on utility man Alfredo Amezaga (left knee). Amezaga injured the knee Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. A left knee sprain forced Amezaga to begin the season on the disabled list. ... Arizona's Brandon Webb (right shoulder) threw on flat ground for the third time in four days but Hinch said there still was no timetable for his return. ... Arizona has been rained out a total of 15 times in its history.