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Morales makes Rockies return in finale against Marlins

Apr 3, 2014 - 1:18 PM (Sports Network) - Left-hander Franklin Morales makes his first appearance for the Colorado Rockies since 2011 on Thursday afternoon when they return to Marlins Park to complete a four-game series with the host Miami Marlins.

Now 28 years old, Morales made 14 relief appearances for the Rockies in 2011 before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He made 10 starts across 93 appearances for the Red Sox through 2013 - and appeared in three postseason games en route to the team's World Series championship - before he was sent back to Colorado in December.

He was 6-7 with a 3.90 earned run average for Boston.

Morales made 17 starts across four seasons in his initial tenure with Colorado and was 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in seven exhibition appearances this spring. In one career start against Miami, he tossed six innings of scoreless three-hit ball for a win in 2007.

Miami, meanwhile, will counter with 22-year-old righty Jacob Turner, who begins his second full season after starting his career with the Detroit Tigers.

The Missouri native was 3-8 in 20 starts with Miami last year. He began the season with a 3-1 record and a 2.33 ERA over his first eight starts, but was winless in his last 12 outings while losing seven decisions and posting a 4.92 ERA.

In two starts against Colorado in 2013, he was 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

Turner is 4-3 in 12 lifetime starts at Marlins Park.

On Wednesday, Jordan Pacheco had three hits and drove in a run as the Rockies defeated the Marlins, 6-5, for their first win after opening the series with a pair of losses.

Charlie Blackmon and Michael Cuddyer both contributed two hits and an RBI for Colorado, while Jordan Lyles (1-0) picked up the win after giving up four runs on five hits with five strikeouts over five-plus innings.

Lyles was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs earlier in the day to take the roster spot of right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood, who landed on the 15- day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI for the Marlins.

Henderson Alvarez (0-1), who closed out his 2013 campaign with the fifth no- hitter in franchise history, was peppered for all six runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and two walks over three- plus frames.

The Marlins edged out the Rockies, 4-3, in the season series a year ago.