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Diamondbacks look for series win against Marlins

Aug 16, 2007 - 2:22 PM Arizona (68-53) at Florida (56-64) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks responded with a 9-6 victory over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, one day after being routed, 14-5, in the first game of the three-game set.

The Diamondbacks will look to win their ninth series in their last 10 since the All-Star break on Thursday, when they take on the Marlins in the rubber game of the set.

Jose Valverde pitched the ninth inning on Wednesday to pick up his 36th save of the season, tying him with the Milwaukee Brewers' Francisco Cordero for the major league lead in saves. The 28-year-old Valverde has already doubled his career high of 18 saves, which he accomplished last season.

On the season, Valverde has blown six saves, but has posted a 2.92 ERA and held batters to just a .185 batting average.

After making his major league debut on Friday, Marlins starter Daniel Barone (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will look for the first win of his career. Barone pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three runs but did not figure in a 4-3 win over the New York Mets.

In 93 minor league games, the 24-year-old Barone has struck out 311 batters while walking 90, good for a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Veteran Livan Hernandez (8-7, 4.85) will oppose Barone. Hernandez has been hot of late, winning his last two outings and three of his last five. The righthander faced the Marlins on July 24, allowing one run and seven hits over seven innings in leading the Diamondbacks to a 9-3 victory.

For his career, Hernandez is 11-7 with a 3.32 ERA against the Marlins, whom he won a World Series with in 1997.