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With trade rumors swirling, Johnson takes hill against Padres

Jul 29, 2012 - 1:15 PM (Sports Network) - The Miami Marlins have been in selling mode, and Josh Johnson could be wondering if Sunday will mark his last start in a Miami uniform.

Johnson will be on the mound this afternoon against the Padres in the finale of a three-game series.

Miami has already made a pair of big trades within the last week. The Marlins were expected to contend for the NL East title in their first year in a new ballpark but are a distant fourth in the division. Miami sent infielder Omar Infante and pitcher Anibal Sanchez to Detroit on Monday, and two days later they dealt infielder Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a four- player deal.

Nathan Eovaldi came back as part of the Ramirez trade and picked up the win last night in his Marlins debut.

Now it's Johnson's turn for his possible final start for the Marlins. The 28- year-old right-hander, a 2002 fourth-round draft pick of the Marlins, is signed through the 2013 season, but is due to make $13.75 million next year. The Texas Rangers, leaders of the AL West, have reportedly been interested in Johnson's services.

Johnson is coming off throwing six shutout innings against Atlanta in a 2-1 win Monday. He left the game early due to a skin irritation on his right middle finger. He's 1-2 in seven games (5 starts) all-time against San Diego. Johnson's only victory versus the Padres came on April 26, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium, when he threw a complete game, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with a career-high 12 strikeouts, which has since been equaled.

Clayton Richard has fallen on difficult times for the Padres, going 1-3 with a 6.41 ERA in his last four starts. The lefty gave up nine hits and seven runs in a 7-1 loss at San Francisco Monday. This will be his third career outing against the Marlins.

Last night, Eovaldi held the Padres to one run on five hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings in the Marlins' 4-2 win. He also struck out five. Despite changing coasts and jerseys, Eovaldi remained hot. Over his last four starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.67 earned run average.

Jose Reyes homered to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, as the Marlins snapped a three-game losing streak and won for just the second time in their last 10 games.

Ross Ohlendorf (3-1) lost for the first time this season after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in six innings.

Yonder Alonso picked up two hits and drove in a run for the second straight night, as the Padres dropped the middle installment of this three-game set.

Miami swept a three-game set from the Padres at Petco Park earlier in the year. Miami snapped a nine-game home losing streak against San Diego Saturday.