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Fading Marlins wrap up series vs. division-leading Arizona

Aug 24, 2008 - 6:45 AM Florida (66-64) at Arizona (68-61) 4:10 pm. EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins are starting to fade in the National League East race, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are inching toward another division title.

The teams headed in opposite directions converge on Sunday.

The Marlins were one of the biggest surprises for most of the season, and were 1 1/2 games out of first place on August 7. However, Florida has dropped 10 of 15 since and has fallen six games behind the first-place New York Mets (72-58).

The Marlins were held to three hits in a 7-1 loss on Saturday.

They will try and get back on track behind Ricky Nolasco (12-7, 3.67 ERA), who ended Florida's major-league record streak of 301 straight games without a complete game in his last outing. The righthander allowed two hits in a 6-0 victory over San Francisco on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are looking for their fourth straight series win. Arizona, which is seeking its fifth division title, has won seven of 10 and holds a three-game lead over Los Angeles (65-64) in the NL West. Doug Davis (5-7, 4.68) is looking for a second straight win.