• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Marlins-Padres Preview

Jul 20, 2009 - 1:02 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Florida (46-46) at San Diego (37-54), 10:05 p.m. EDT

After struggling against one of the NL's best teams, the Florida Marlins hope facing one of the worst will help them turn things around.

The reeling Marlins look to avoid a fourth straight loss in the opener of a three-game series against the lowly San Diego Padres on Monday night at Petco Park.

Shut out for the second time in three games, Florida (46-47) lost 5-0 to Philadelphia on Sunday as the NL East-leading Phillies completed an abbreviated three-game sweep in Miami.

On July 9, the Marlins were two games behind the defending World Series champions in the division, but they've lost five of six and are seven games off the lead. Florida is batting .209 and averaging 2.3 runs in its last six contests.

"Every game is important from here on out," outfielder Brett Carroll told the Marlins' official Web site. "Whether we're playing the Phillies or we're playing the Padres, we can't think about what they're doing. We have to focus on us and play the way we're capable of playing, and see where we're at in September."

Facing San Diego (37-55) to open a six-game West Coast swing, however, might help Florida find some success at the plate. The Padres' 4.68 staff ERA is among the worst in the majors.

The Marlins went 4-2 versus the Padres last season and took two of three last July at Petco.

Batting .345 this year, All-Star Hanley Ramirez is a lifetime .313 hitter versus the Padres. Ramirez and the Marlins will get their first look at Tim Stauffer (0-1, 2.57 ERA) in this contest.

In his first start since 2007, Stauffer gave up two runs and four hits while matching a career with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 loss at San Francisco on July 11. The right-hander missed the entire 2008 season while recovering from a torn labrum.

"I really appreciate the opportunity being here," Stauffer told the Padres' official Web site. "It's been nice having them support me. I can't say enough about the organization."

Rick VandenHurk makes his season debut for the Marlins in this contest. The right-hander, who hasn't pitched since last July, has been in the minors working his way back from elbow soreness.

VandenHurk, who went 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A New Orleans, is 5-7 with a 6.94 ERA in 21 career starts in the majors. He's making his first appearance against the Padres.

"Hopefully he goes out there in San Diego and gives us a chance to win a ballgame," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You're not asking him or anybody to come out and, 'Hey, you have to give me a two-hit shutout.'"

San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a sacrifice fly in a 6-1 loss to Colorado on Sunday as the Padres fell for the 14th time in 18 contests. The Padres, a major-league worst 12-30 since June 1, have scored one or fewer runs four times in their last seven games.

After the contest, San Diego traded right-handed reliever Cla Meredith to Baltimore for infielder Oscar Salazar, who hit .419 (13 for 31) in 17 games for the Orioles.