• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Myers hopes to end struggles in Florida

Jul 9, 2011 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - Brett Myers hasn't pitched well in Miami, and tonight the veteran right-hander aims for just his second career road win versus the Marlins as the Astros continue a four-game series.

Myers is 1-4 in 13 career appearances at Sun Life Stadium with that lone win coming April 11, 2005 when he pitched for Philadelphia. He's 6-11 in 33 games (25 starts) with a bulky 5.62 ERA when facing Florida.

Most recently, Myers is winless in his last three starts, losing his last two. That includes a July 4 outing at Pittsburgh that saw him give up a career-high 13 hits along with four earned runs over six innings.

Ricky Nolasco, who has just one victory in his last eight starts, takes the mound tonight for the Marlins. Nolasco threw a five-hit shutout on June 29 at Oakland, but was then the victim of no run support in a 1-0 loss to the Phillies on July 4. In that game, the right-hander allowed six hits over seven innings. Nolasco hasn't given up a home run over his last four starts, covering 28 innings.

Over his career, Nolasco is 4-1 with a 5.35 ERA in six games (5 starts) against the Astros. He last faced the Astros on April 8 at Minute Maid Park, getting the victory. He yielded two runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out two over eight innings in the Marlins' 4-3 triumph.

Hanley Ramirez has gotten hot lately and it's paid off for the Marlins moving him to the cleanup spot. On Friday, he went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBI to lead the Marlins past the Astros, 6-3.

Prior to being penciled into the fourth spot in the batting order on June 21, Ramirez was batting just .200 with seven doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI over his first 55 games. In 16 games as the cleanup hitter, he has posted a .400 average with four home runs and 18 RBI.

"When you have runners in scoring position, you have to concentrate to drive them in," Ramirez said. "That's the difference. It's what I've been doing."

Mike Stanton had a 2-for-3 night with two RBI and Gaby Sanchez added two hits, including a double, and three runs scored for Florida, which has won five of its last seven games.

Javier Vazquez (5-8) gave up just two runs on six hits over seven innings to earn the win. After allowing two runs in the first, Vazquez shut out the Astros over the next six frames.

"I'm staying more aggressive. I'm just pounding the strike zone, and that's what I have to keep doing," said Vazquez.

Leo Nunez picked up his 24th save of the year after retiring the final two batters of the game.

Jeff Keppinger and Brett Wallace had an RBI each and Michael Bourn added two hits and a run scored for Houston, which has dropped seven of its last eight games.

Jordan Lyles (0-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits over six innings.

Florida has won seven of nine against Houston overall, including four of five in South Florida, where Houston is just 3-12 since the start of 2007.