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Marlins eye sweep of Cubs

May 30, 2007 - 4:03 PM Florida (25-27) at Chicago Cubs (22-28) 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins will be after their sixth consecutive road win and a three-game series sweep when they visit the slumping Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

The Cubs have lost three straight, seven of nine and squandered the opportunity to make up ground in the National League Central Division. The first-place Milwaukee Brewers also have been struggling, dropping six of nine.

Sergio Mitre (2-2, 1.89 ERA) will get the start for the Marlins, who have compiled a 13-12 road record compared to a 12-15 mark at Dolphin Stadium.

The 6-4 righthander spent the end of April on the disabled list after tearing a callous on his throwing hand, but has been excellent since returning. In five starts this month, Mitre is 2-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 36 1/3 innings.

This will be Mitre's first appearance against the Cubs, who he pitched for from 2003-05. He has a 5.14 ERA in 20 appearances at Wrigley Field.

Chicago starter Ted Lilly (4-2, 3.20) is coming off his worst start of the season, as he allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The lefthander did not get pinned with a loss, however, as he did not allow the go-ahead run in the Dodgers' 9-8 come-from-behind victory.

Dontrelle Willis went seven innings to lead the Marlins to a 9-4 triumph over the Cubs on Tuesday. Jeremy Hermida hit a tie-breaking, three-run homer in the fifth inning and Josh Willingham added a three-run double in the victory.