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Marlins look to salvage finale against Phillies

Aug 9, 2007 - 2:31 PM Florida (52-62) at Philadelphia (60-53) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- After dropping the first two games, the Florida Marlins will look to salvage the finale of a three-game series on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Marlins absorbed its second straight loss and fourth in six games with a 6-4 loss on Wednesday. Jimmy Rollins and Aaron Rowand both drove in two runs for the Phillies, who have won their last three games.

With its latest win, Philadelphia climbed into second place in the National League East, four games behind the New York Mets.

Florida will look to avoid its second sweep in three weeks behind Segio Mitre (5-5, 3.67 ERA). The righthander, however, has struggled in his last three starts despite going 1-1 over that span. The 26-year-old has allowed 17 runs over 15 2/3 innings during that span.

Mitre has faced Philadelphia once before this season, giving up five runs - one earned - in five innings of an 8-2 loss on April 6. In his career, he is 0-2 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against the Phillies.

Despite the struggles of the Marlins, Hanley Ramirez has been swinging a big bat. The second-year shortstop is hitting .342 to lead the National League in batting average and is second in runs scored with 85. The 23-year-old is ridding a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.

Philadelphia will hope to continue its winning ways behind rookie Kyle Kendrick (5-2, 3.88). The righthander has pitched very well so far this season, working six or more innings in eight of his 10 starts this season.

In his last start, Kendrick allowed two runs and eight hits in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.