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Rays go for sweep in battle of Florida

Jun 15, 2008 - 2:18 PM Florida (36-32) at Tampa Bay (40-28) 1:40 pm EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays will be aiming for a sweep of their in-state rivals when they host the Florida Marlins in the finale of an interleague series on Sunday.

The Rays dominated the first two games of the series with strong pitching. After Andy Sonnanstine surrendered two runs in the first inning Friday, Tampa Bay pitchers held the Marlins to just two runs over the next 17 frames, earning a 7-3 win in the series opener and a 4-1 triumph on Saturday.

Matt Garza allowed one run and three hits in seven innings and Jonny Gomes hit his fifth homer of the season on Saturday.

The Rays are no strangers to home success, owning a 26-10 record at Tropicana Field this season, including wins in 10 out of their last 12 home contests.

Florida has lost 12 of its last 18 games to fall from first place in the National League Central to four games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.06 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays on Sunday. The 24-year-old won Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim despite allowing four runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He has allowed four runs in each of his last three starts, going 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA.

Jackson was strong in his first interleague start this season, limiting the St. Louis Cardinals to one run in 5 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision. He is 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 10 career interleague games - six starts.

The Marlins will counter with righthander Ricky Nolasco (6-4, 4.62). The 25-year-old is 5-1 over his last seven starts, compiling a 2.29 ERA over that span.