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Marlins go with ace Johnson in finale with Rox

Apr 24, 2011 - 3:43 PM (Sports Network) - Florida's Josh Johnson has pitched shutout ball in his last two starts, and today the young righty hopes to remain unbeaten against the Rockies when he faces them in the finale of a three-game series at Sun Life Stadium.

The 27-year-old Johnson has given up a total of three hits and has fanned 18 batters over his previous two outings, covering 14 1/3 innings in wins against Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Right-handed batters are hitting .086 (3-for-35) against him this season.

Johnson is making only his fourth start and fifth appearance against Colorado, going 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA.

Getting the ball this afternoon for the Rockies will be Ubaldo Jimenez, who has struggled this season after posting a 19-8 record and 2.88 ERA in 2010. The right-hander has been torched for 13 hits and nine earned runs over 11 frames in his first two outings this season. He was on the DL earlier this month with a cut on his thumb.

Jimenez sports a 1-1 mark with a 3.52 ERA in three starts against Florida.

On Saturday, Troy Tulowitzki had a pair of hits and drove in a run as the Rockies won, 3-1, to snap the Marlins' four-game win streak.

Jason Hammel (2-1) allowed just one run on seven hits with four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for the win, the Rockies' second in five games. He also brought in a run on a squeeze bunt.

Chris Coghlan knocked in the lone run for Florida, which won the first matchup, 4-1, on Friday when Anibal Sanchez flirted with no-hitter that was broken up in the ninth.

Marlins starter Javier Vazquez (1-2) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs on four hits and five walks in six innings.

Florida won three of four over Colorado at home last season.