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Marlins-Orioles Preview

Jun 21, 2010 - 5:15 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Florida (33-36) at Baltimore (19-50), 7:05 p.m. EDT

A road game against an AL opponent gives the Florida Marlins even more flexibility in deciding whether to put Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup.

After two days of rest, Ramirez could be used as the Marlins' designated hitter in the opener of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.

A tight right hamstring kept Ramirez out of Florida's lineup in a 4-1 home win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. The two-time All-Star aggravated his leg in the eighth inning of a 9-8, 11-inning loss to the Rays the previous evening.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Ramirez was available to pinch-hit in the series finale, but would have been pulled for a pinch-runner if he got on base.

After a day off Monday, the Marlins (33-36) may decide to give Ramirez yet another day free from the physical burden of playing shortstop. At Camden Yards, Florida will have the option to use Ramirez as its DH.

"If that is the case, and that's the way we've got to go, it's the way we've got to go," Gonzalez told the Marlins' official website.

Ramirez is hitting .360 with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs in his last seven games. He has 11 RBIs in his last three games versus the Orioles (19-50).

Florida left fielder Chris Coghlan, who grew up in Maryland, is playing his first game at Camden Yards. The 2009 NL Rookie of the Year hit .412 in 21 games before going 0 for 4 on Sunday.

Still, the Marlins got enough production at the plate as they won two of three against the Rays for the second straight weekend. Florida, though, lost three straight between those series.

"We've just got to keep it going, keep doing what we've been doing and find ways to win," said Josh Johnson, Sunday's winning pitcher. "Then as soon as everything starts clicking, that's when you start talking about winning streaks."

Anibal Sanchez (6-4, 3.22 ERA) will take the mound for the Marlins. He lost his last start despite pitching fairly well, giving up three runs - one earned - in six innings of a 6-3 loss to Texas on Wednesday night.

It was the ninth time in 11 starts the right-hander has surrendered three runs or fewer.

Opponents are hitting .301 against Sanchez, who has never faced the Orioles, when he pitches on the road.

Baltimore will counter with Jeremy Guthrie (3-8, 3.97), who has lost four straight starts to match the worst skid of his career. He's received five runs of support during that stretch.

The right-hander goes into his first start against Florida after giving up four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 6-3 loss to San Francisco on Wednesday.

Baltimore got a terrible start from rookie Jake Arrieta in a 9-4 loss to San Diego on Sunday. The Orioles missed an opportunity to win two in a row for the first time since winning three straight from May 12-14.

Baltimore, which has the majors' worst record, has lost 19 of 23.

Florida swept a three-game series with Baltimore last season, averaging 7.7 runs. The Marlins have won nine of the last 10 meetings.