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Reds-Marlins Preview

Apr 11, 2010 - 10:22 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (2-3) at Florida (3-2), 7:10 p.m. EDT

With his productive and clutch play, Jorge Cantu has helped the Florida Marlins get off to a strong start.

After getting a big game from Cantu to rally for their second straight win, the Marlins open a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

An 11-1 start last season gave Florida some confidence, helping it finish in second place in the NL East. The Marlins have had a strong first week of this season, winning four of their last five.

Cantu, who had 100 RBIs last season, has been a big part of that success. He tied a career high with five RBIs as the Marlins rallied to beat Los Angeles 6-5 on Sunday.

Florida (4-2) was trailing 4-0 before Cantu hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning. He then gave the Marlins a 6-5 lead with a two-run double in the seventh.

Cantu capped a three-run rally in the ninth the previous night with a sacrifice fly in a 7-6 victory over the Dodgers.

"We're the kings of drama," Cantu said. "Everybody here is used to that."

The veteran first baseman has 10 RBIs, notching at least one in all six games. Cantu is batting .345 with three home runs and five RBIs in six home games against the Reds (3-3).

"I'm trying not to do too much," he said. "I'm seeing the ball very well."

Cantu has helped Florida overcome some sloppy play and poor relief pitching. The Marlins have committed 10 errors, and their bullpen has a 4.95 ERA.

Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 4.05), set to start for Florida, was the victim of poor relief pitching in his first outing. He was sharp over 6 2/3 innings before being lifted in a 7-6, 10-inning win over New York on Wednesday night.

Nolasco was cruising before walking the first two to start the seventh with the Marlins leading 6-1. The right-hander left after allowing a second run on a sacrifice fly.

He was charged with three runs, allowing three hits and striking out five.

Nolasco is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance against the Reds.

Cincinnati will counter with Johnny Cueto (0-0, 3.00), who had a strong first start, giving up two runs in six innings of a 6-3 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday night.

The right-hander earned a win in his only outing against the Marlins, surrendering three runs and striking out eight in six innings as the Reds won 11-3 on June 6, 2008.

Cincinnati got a boost from rookie starter Mike Leake in a 3-1 win over Chicago on Sunday. The Reds have won three of four after an 0-2 start despite scoring 13 runs over that span.

Cleanup hitter Joey Votto doesn't have an RBI or an extra-base hit since a solo homer in the season opener. Votto had a two-run homer in an 8-1 win over Florida on Sept. 20 in these teams' last meeting.

The Reds and Marlins split six matchups last season.