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Dodgers rely on Blanton in middle tilt with Marlins

Aug 11, 2012 - 1:41 PM (Sports Network) - Newly-acquired right-hander Joe Blanton makes his second start for the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight when they visit Marlins Park for the second of three weekend games with the host Miami Marlins.

The 32-year-old Blanton, a former first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics, was dealt from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later and cash on Aug. 3.

He made his first start in the new uniform two days later and got a no- decision in the Dodgers' 7-6 win over the Chicago Cubs after allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts in six innings.

Blanton's last win came while with Philadelphia on July 16 - against the Dodgers - when he tossed six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts in a 3-2 triumph in Los Angeles.

Blanton last faced Miami on July 1 and was a 5-2 loser after giving up three runs on six hits in six innings.

The Dodgers broke ahead in the series and moved into a first-place tie in the National League's West Division on Friday, when Juan Rivera hit a two-run homer and Hanley Ramirez drove in a pair of runs against his former team in a 5-2 triumph.

Los Angeles is knotted with the San Francisco Giants, who lost, 3-0, to Colorado on Friday.

Ramirez finished with three hits and scored a run in his first game at Marlins Park since being dealt to the Dodgers on July 26.

"I still love (Marlins fans)," Ramirez said. "There's a lot of love for them, and I think there was a lot of support those seven years down here."

Matt Kemp had two hits, including an RBI double, and Shane Victorino doubled and scored a run for the Dodgers, who have won five of their last seven.

Clayton Kershaw (10-6) earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings.

Kenley Jansen put two on in the ninth but was able to work out of the jam to pick up his 23rd save.

Justin Ruggiano hit a solo homer and Carlos Lee drove in a run for the Marlins, losers in six of nine.

Mark Buehrle (9-11) gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings to absorb the loss. Buehrle hasn't won since July 14 and has dropped his last three decisions overall.

The Marlins send California-born righty Ricky Nolasco to the mound in the hopes of ending a five-start losing streak.

The 29-year-old was 8-6 on the season after a 3-2 win at St. Louis on July 6, but is winless after the All-Star break while watching his earned run average climb from 4.35 to 4.95.

He was tagged for four runs on eight hits in six innings of his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss at Washington on Aug. 5.

Nolasco is winless in two decisions against Los Angeles in four career starts.

This is the first series of 2012 between the teams, which split six meetings last season. The Marlins won four of six games against the Dodgers in 2010.