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Phillies seek to avert second straight 0-4 start

Apr 6, 2007 - 3:22 PM Philadelphia (0-3) at Florida (2-1) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies seek to avert an 0-4 start for the second straight season when they visit the Florida Marlins on Friday.

It is the home opener for the Marlins, who opened the season with two wins in three games at Washington.

The Phillies were swept in a three-game series by the Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins boldly proclaimed in January that his team was the one to beat in the National League East. But the Braves and defending division champion New York Mets are off to 3-0 starts while the Phils are in an 0-3 hole.

"We'll be OK," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "We just need to put a good game together."

Jamie Moyer starts on Friday for Philadelphia. After being acquired from Seattle last season, Moyer went 5-2 with a 4.03 ERA in eight starts.

Florida counters with Sergio Mitre, who is filling in while Josh Johnson recovers from a bicep injury. Mitre was 1-5 with a 4.71 ERA last season.

Reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard hit nine of his 58 homers against Florida last season. The Marlins also walked Howard 26 times, including 11 intentional.