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Sanches set for first big league start at Chavez Ravine

May 28, 2011 - 2:30 PM (Sports Network) - Brian Sanches makes his first-ever start this evening when the Florida Marlins continue their three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Sanches steps in for an ailing Josh Johnson, who has been sidelined with a sore shoulder and will likely spend another week on the disabled list.

"That's fine with me instead of rushing him," Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said Friday. "If there's any doubt that he will be 99 percent coming out of the DL, that won't work. We should make sure that whenever he comes out, he's 100 percent.'

So, tonight Sanches gets the call. The right-hander has made 16 appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins this season and has gone 3-1 with a 3.52 ERA. His lone loss, though, came against the Dodgers back on April 27 when he gave up a game-winning home run to Andre Ethier.

Getting the call for the Dodgers this evening will be Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who is 5-4 with a 3.10 ERA. Kuroda was not good his last time out on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, as he allowed six runs (four earned) and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Kuroda has faced the Marlins five times and is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA.

The Dodgers pulled out a thrilling win in Friday's opener, as pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Los Angeles to a 3-2 win.

Clay Hensley (0-1) started on the mound for the Marlins in the ninth. Casey Blake, fresh off the 15-day DL, got the frame started with an infield single. Ethier followed with a base hit to right, and Mike Stanton's fielding error moved Blake to third. Matt Kemp was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs. Navarro then singled to center to drive in the winning run.

"I just tried to hit the ball up the middle," Navarro said. "It was a big relief to get this win."

Ethier and James Loney hit solo homers for the Dodgers, who started a six- game homestand on Friday.

Dodgers starter Jon Garland gave up one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. Rubby De La Rosa (1-0) picked up his first win the big leagues despite allowing a run on two hits over two innings.

Greg Dobbs went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the Marlins, who had a three-game winning streak stopped.

Florida won two of three meetings from the Dodgers in that late April series and has won six of the previous eight matchups between the two clubs.