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Marlins hope to even odd set with Mariners

Jun 25, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - Though billed as the host, the Florida Marlins sure did travel a long way for a record-setting loss.

Coming off their 21st setback of the month, the Marlins will again serve as the home team in Seattle tonight in the middle portion of a three-game series with the Mariners at Safeco Field.

Due a scheduling conflict at Sun Life Stadium -- a concert by the popular band U2 -- baseball moved the Marlins interleague series with the Mariners to Seattle, though National League rules still apply and Florida is batting second. None of that benefited the Marlins in last night's opener as they were handled by Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in a 5-1 setback.

Hernandez struck out 10 over eight innings, with Florida's lone run coming in the fourth inning when Hanley Ramirez scored on a wild pitch. Seattle catcher Miguel Olivo, who hit a two-run homer and finished with three RBI, said Hernandez quickly got on track after a slow start.

"In the third inning, he just got everything together," Olivo said of Hernandez. "In the second inning, he hit a couple guys. After the third inning, [he was] a different guy. Everything started working: the changeup, the slider, the curve, the sinker. Unbelievable."

While Seattle rebounded after losing three straight one-run games to Washington, the Marlins lost for the 21st time in 23 games in June. That is the most setbacks in any single month in franchise history.

Starter Ricky Nolasco was in line for a win after Ramirez scored, but the Mariners finally ended what stretched into a 20-inning scoreless streak by plating three runs in the seventh to deal Nolasco a loss.

With Florida stuck in such a rut, facing the Mariners best pitcher on his home mound probably didn't help, something first baseman Gaby Sanchez acknowledged.

"It's probably the best pitcher that I've ever faced, stuff wise, command wise, movement, everything's hard ... [he's] not afraid to pitch in," Sanchez said of Hernandez. "When you're talking about 94-95 [mph] with the ball moving as much as his ball does, he's really good."

Things may not getting any easier tonight for Sanchez and the Marlins as they are set to face Jason Vargas, who is coming off his second shutout of the month.

The left-hander pitched a four-hitter versus the Rays on June 3, but then struggled in giving up eight runs over his next two starts. Vargas regained his form again on Sunday versus the Phillies, limiting the club to three hits and two walks in a tight 2-0 win. He struck out six and retired 16 of the final 17 batters faced.

"I think your focus has to be there a little bit more, not that it should go away when you're up five runs, but you're definitely more dialed in and focused on what you have to do," Vargas said of throwing in close games.

The 28-year-old is now 5-4 with a 3.75 earned run average this season and will face the Marlins, who selected him in the second round of the 2004 draft, for the first time.

Though still winless since April 26, Marlins starter Chris Volstad would be wise to try and mimic his last outing as well. On Sunday versus the Rays, Volstad received a no-decision despite allowing just one run on six hits and four walks over seven innings of a 2-1 loss.

Of course, Volstad was starting on the same day that manager Edwin Rodriguez announced his resignation.

"It's been a tough day. I thought Volstad pitched great and we competed. We just came up short," said bench coach Brandon Hyde, who took over managerial duties for the game before Jack McKeon was named interim manager earlier in the week.

The 24-year-old Volstad had been shelled for eight runs over just 5 2/3 innings in his previous outing on June 14 at Philadelphia, his sixth straight losing decision. He is 2-7 with a 5.65 ERA in 14 starts this year and faces the Mariners for the first time.

Seattle and Florida are meeting for the first time since the Marlins took two of three matchups in 2008 in the Emerald City. The Mariners did the same in 2005 as the visitor.