Marlins 1 - 2 Rays
Final
  for this game

Marlins hope to end slide in finale with Rays

Jun 19, 2011 - 4:03 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins have completely forgotten how to win baseball games, as they face yet another sweep in today's finale of a three- game interleague series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Marlins will have a new face in the dugout, as manager Edwin Rodriguez announced his resignation. Rodriguez took over for Fredi Gonzalez in 2010, while bench coach Brandon Hyde will manage the club against the Rays today.

Yesterday, Rays hurler Alex Cobb allowed two runs through 6 1/3 innings and Johnny Damon joined an elite group as Tampa Bay knocked off Florida, 7-4, to take the first two matchups of this series at Tropicana Field.

Cobb (2-0) let up just three hits and two walks while striking out two in the Rays' third win in five games.

Ricky Nolasco (4-3) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk through five innings as Florida lost its ninth in a row and fell to 1-17 in the month of June.

Florida's Mike Stanton was scratched before the game because of a right eye infection and could miss today's game.

The Marlins have lost 20 of their last 23 games.

Florida went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.

Damon led off the bottom of the first inning with a blooper into shallow left field that he legged out for the 500th double of his career.

With that hit, Damon became the 11th player all-time with 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 home runs and 2,500 hits. The 10 others to reach these marks are Hall of Famers George Brett, Lou Gehrig, Goose Goslin, Rogers Hornsby, Willie Mays, Paul Molitor, Stan Musial, Babe Ruth, Al Simmons and Robin Yount.

Hoping to improve his 2-6 record and 5.51 ERA, Chris Volstad will take the hill for the Marlins today. The righty has lost his last four starts, and Tuesday's outing against the Phillies was clearly the worst of the bunch. Lasting just 5 2/3 innings, Volstad was lit up for eight earned runs on 10 hits.

In three career games against Tampa Bay, Volstad is 1-0 with a 3.57 ERA.

The Rays have plenty of reason for optimism today, as James Shields will be on the hill. Shields has thrown four complete games, including an MLB-best three shutouts, this season. On Tuesday, "Big Game James" allowed five hits in his nine shutout innings against a Boston team with plenty of offensive pop.

Shields is 1-0 versus the Marlins this season with a three-hit shutout, and he is 4-2 lifetime against them with a 4.78 ERA.






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