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Marlins hit the road to battle Reds

Apr 29, 2011 - 2:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins take to the road tonight after one of the most successful homestands in franchise history, as they visit Great American Ball Park to open a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Marlins won seven of nine during their most recent stretch in Miami and enter the week a half-game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.

In spite of a 5-4 setback to Los Angeles on Wednesday, Florida's record is third-best in the NL and fourth-best in the majors.

Right-handed veteran Javier Vazquez will try to continue the momentum in his fifth start of the season and third away from home. The 34-year-old dropped both of his previous starts at Sun Life Stadium, but is 1-0 with a no-decision in two road outings.

He went six innings in a 7-5 win at Houston on April 9 and came back six days later to throw five innings in the Marlins' 4-3 victory at Philadelphia.

He gave up three runs on four hits over six innings in his last start, but was victimized by a lack of support in a 3-1 loss to Colorado. Still, the defeat saw his earned run average fall from 7.42 to 6.52.

Vazquez is 4-3 in 11 starts against the Reds.

Cincinnati counters with second-year lefty Travis Wood, who'll try to snap a four-start drought since April 2.

The 24-year-old topped Milwaukee with seven innings of one-run ball in his first start of 2011, but has since gone 0-2 with two no-decisions in four outings.

He was touched for eight hits and three runs in his most recent start on April 23 at St. Louis, a game the Reds won, 5-3.

In Wood's four starts since the victory, Cincinnati has been outscored, 28-12.

He has never faced the Marlins.

On Wednesday in Milwaukee, Drew Stubbs hit a solo homer in the 10th inning, lifting the Reds over the Brewers, 7-6, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Stubbs went 2-for-5 with three runs scored for the Reds, who went 3-3 on a six-game road trip. Joey Votto hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs.

Sam LeCure went 4 1/3 innings in the start, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits. Aroldis Chapman (2-0) tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win.

In Miami, red-hot Andre Ethier went 2-for-5 with a solo homer in the 10th inning, as the Dodgers snuck past Florida to avoid a three-game sweep.

Chris Coghlan hit a three-run double for the Marlins, who haven't swept the Dodgers since Sept. 6-8, 1999.

Anibal Sanchez gave up three runs on four hits over a five-inning start for Florida.

The Reds won five of seven over the Marlins last year, including a three-game home sweep from Aug. 13-15.