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Marlins seek second straight win vs. Braves

Sep 2, 2008 - 1:45 PM Atlanta (59-79) at Florida (70-68) 7:10 pm. EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins look to win consecutive games for the first time in a month on Tuesday when they host the woeful Atlanta Braves.

The Marlins entered August just 1 1/2 games out of first place, but are licking their wounds after an 11-17 showing last month. Florida now trails the New York Mets (77-61) by seven games in the National League East and are clinging to slim playoff hopes.

Jorge Cantu homered and John Baker hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to give the Marlins a 4-3 victory in Monday's series opener. Florida avoided falling under .500 for the first time since April 6 when it was 3-3.

The Marlins send Anibal Sanchez (2-3, 4.46 ERA) to the hill, hoping he can help them win consecutive game for the first time since July 30-31. Sanchez is making his seventh start after missing most of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

The righthander is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his three home starts this season, and 10-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 13 career starts here.

The Braves, who have lost four straight and 17 of 21, counter with rookie Charlie Morton (4-8, 6.10). Morton faced Sanchez on Thursday and allowed two runs and four hits in six innings of a 4-2 win over Florida.