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Marlins and Reds face off in three-game set

Aug 24, 2007 - 2:30 PM Florida (57-71) at Cincinnati (57-70) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - The Florida Marlins will take on the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a three-game series on Friday.

The Marlins snapped an eight-game losing streak by routing the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-3, on Thursday wit the help of a career-high six RBI by Josh Willingham. The 28-year-old slugger hit two home runs, including the second grand slam of his career. Hanley Ramirez stole two bases during the game, becoming the first player in Marlins history to steal 40 bases and hit 20 home runs in single season. The 23-year-old shortstop has 41 stolen bases and 23 homers during the 2007 campaign.

Dontrelle Willis (8-12, 4.91 ERA) will try to turn around a dismal August when he takes the mound for the Marlins. Willis is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in the month with his last win coming on August 14 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The lefthander didn't factor in the decision in his last start after allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings against the San Francisco Giants.

Willis has dominated the Reds in his career, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.44 ERA in seven starts.

Winning won't be easy for Willis, as he'll face Reds ace and National League Cy Young contender, Aaron Harang (12-3, 3.67). Cincinnati is 20-6 in Harang's starts this season, and the righthander is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA at home.

During his last start, Harang allowed six runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings, but didn't factor in the decision as the Reds scored twice in the ninth inning, winning 7-6 against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.