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Marlins look to win second straight series vs. Phillies

Jul 20, 2008 - 2:39 PM Philadelphia (53-45) at Florida (51-46), 1:10 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins will look to win their second straight series against the Philadelphia Phillies this season when the National League East Division rivals square off Sunday in the finale of a three-game set.

Philadelphia will try to bounce back from Saturday's 9-5 loss - its second in the last seven games - while Florida has the opportunity to win for the eighth time in its last 11 games.

After dropping the season's first series with the Phillies, Florida took the second series by winning two games on June 10 and 11.

The Phillies, who have reclaimed sole possession of first place in the NL East, will give the ball to ace Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.15 ERA). The lefthander is 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA in two starts against the Marlins this season, but the Phillies have won 11 of his last 15 starts.

Florida will counter with Josh Johnson (0-0, 5.40), who will be making his sixth start in the past two years. After notching four starts last season, the 24-year-old went on the disabled list and underwent "Tommy John" surgery on August 3.

He missed nearly a year until last week, when he threw five innings and allowed three runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his rookie campaign during 2006, Johnson went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 24 starts.

Pat Burrell smacked two homers and went 3-for-5, while Chase Utley added two hits for Philadelphia on Saturday.

Jorge Cantu sparked the Marlins with a 4-for-5 effort and John Baker went 2-for-3 with four RBI.