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Nolasco, Niese square off in South Beach

Apr 2, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - Ricky Nolasco will follow Josh Johnson in the Florida rotation for a second straight year. He'd be wise to take hints from Johnson's performance on Friday before taking the mound against the Mets tonight.

On Friday, Johnson carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a solid Opening Day start, leading the Marlins to a 6-2 victory. Johnson faced just one batter over the minimum before his no-hit bid was broken up by Willie Harris' double to begin the seventh.

The Marlins got all the offense they needed on John Buck's grand slam off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey in the fourth inning. Logan Morrison added a solo homer and Gaby Sanchez had an RBI single for the other runs.

Nolasco could see limited action tonight. He was limited to only four starts this spring due to a thumb injury, posting a 1-2 record and 8.40 ERA. Last season, Nolasco posted a 14-9 record and 4.51 ERA in 26 starts.

The right-hander is making his 18th career start and 20th appearance against the Mets, posting a 5-6 record and 5.46 ERA.

Jon Niese's first season in a Mets uniform saw him go 9-10 with a 4.20 ERA in 30 starts. The lefty had a rough start to 2010, losing his first three decisions. Not only that, but he's 1-4 all-time against the Marlins with a 6.49 ERA in five starts. Of that, he's pitched in two games at Sun Life Stadium, but is 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA.

Last night, Filling in as the No. 1 starter for Johan Santana, whose shoulder surgery could keep him on the shelf until mid-season, Pelfrey went just 4 1/3 innings, yielding five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two.

"He didn't have his good sinker," said new Mets manager Terry Collins, "but I thought he battled hard."

The evening though belonged to Johnson, who left with two outs in the seventh, yielding two runs on just three hits and two walks while striking out three.

"Basically, he rolled out there and controlled every count," Marlins catcher John Buck said. "

Florida had great success against the Mets at home in 2010, winning all six bouts between the teams held at Sun Life Stadium. The Marlins were victorious in 12 of their 18 overall encounters with New York last season as well.