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Marlins look to continue surge vs. Padres

May 5, 2007 - 2:50 PM San Diego (15-14) at Florida (14-14) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins will look to move above .500 for the first time since early last month when they take on the San Diego Padres in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday.

Josh Willingham and Joe Borchard hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to lift the Marlins to a 5-4 triumph over the Padres in the series opener on Friday.

It was the third victory in the last four games and eighth in 12 for Florida, which had gone on a season-high six-game skid from April 15-20. The Marlins have not been above .500 since April 15 when they were 6-5.

They look to get above that mark behind Sergio Mitre (0-2, 3.97 ERA), who will be activated from the disabled list to make the start Saturday.

He has not pitched since April 17 when he had to leave the game after just one-third of an inning, tearing a blister on his pitching hand. Mitre had allowed nine runs - five earned - in 11 innings in two prior starts and still is looking for his first win of the campaign.

San Diego will counter with David Wells (1-1, 6.23), who has struggled in his last two starts. The lefthander yielded nine runs and 17 hits, while striking out six and walking two in 10 innings during that span.

The Padres have lost three of their last five games.