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Marlins-White Sox Preview

May 22, 2010 - 4:14 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Florida (22-20) at Chicago (16-24), 2:05 p.m. EDT

So far, getting a designated hitter hasn't helped the Florida Marlins end their offensive struggles on the road.

The Marlins, who opened interleague play with their worst game at the plate this season, look to bounce back against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

Florida (22-21) began this three-game series with the NL's best interleague record at 120-99, but it was held to three hits in an 8-0 loss Friday night. It was the first time the Marlins have been shut out this season.

In its last five road games, Florida has been held to three runs or fewer four times.

Jorge Cantu, the Marlins' starting third baseman and cleanup hitter, was tabbed by manager Fredi Gonzalez as the DH. Cantu went 0 for 3, dropping his average to .192 (25 for 130) with one homer and seven RBIs in that role.

"It's not my preference," Cantu told the Marlins' official website. "It's kind of like a day off. You get to keep your legs fresh."

Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez continued his slump on the road, going 0 for 3. Ramirez is batting .208 (11 for 53) with three RBIs in his last 14 games away from Sun Life Stadium and .222 (4 for 18) in four career games against the White Sox, all of which have been on the road.

The Marlins appear to have a good opportunity to rebound as they face struggling White Sox starter Gavin Floyd (1-4, 7.00 ERA), who has surrendered five runs or more in each of his last three outings.

"It's just the way things have gone," Floyd said. "I can't explain it. You just have to keep making your pitches."

The right-hander took a loss against Kansas City on Sunday, yielding five runs and 10 hits in six innings as Chicago fell 5-3.

Floyd did not receive a decision in his only start against the Marlins, surrendering four runs in 4 1-3 innings for Philadelphia in a 7-4 win Sept. 30, 2004. He is 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in seven interleague starts.

Florida will give the ball to Chris Volstad (3-4, 4.29). The right-hander gave up four runs - two earned - in five innings of a 5-1 loss to Arizona on Monday night for his second straight loss.

Volstad is 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in four outings on the road. Volstad, making his first appearance against the White Sox, is 1-1 with a 7.47 ERA in three interleague starts.

He's facing a White Sox lineup that is coming off one of its best games of the season. Chicago was three runs shy of matching its season high, set in an 11-1 win over Toronto on April 14.

White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez matched a career high with five RBIs, helping Chicago win for the fifth time in 13 games. Ramirez is 9 for 16 (.563) with two homers and nine RBIs in his last four interleague contests.