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Marlins aim to get back on track against Phillies

Apr 23, 2009 - 10:37 PM By Anthony Giornalista Stats Senior Writer

Philadelphia (6-8) at Florida (11-4) 7:10 p.m. EDT

MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Marlins were just one of the teams defending champion Philadelphia had to catch in the NL East after a slow start in 2008. The Phillies are going to need some perseverance this season as well.

The Marlins have grabbed an early lead in the division, but the Phillies have a chance to deal them their fourth straight loss Friday night in the opener of a three-game set.

Florida (11-4) was the majors' hottest team before it was swept in a three-game series with Pittsburgh over the weekend, getting outscored 18-6. Still, the Marlins have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Phillies (6-8) in the NL East.

Last year, Florida opened 10-7 and was one of three teams ahead of Philadelphia, which lost 10 of its first 18 games. The Phillies, though, won 13 of their last 16 contests to capture the division before winning the World Series.

Philadelphia is off to another uneven start this season, losing the final two games of a three-game set with Milwaukee in its last series.

The Phillies struggled at the plate in those last two contests. They went 7 2-3 innings without a hit before Matt Stairs' pinch-hit homer in a 6-1 loss the Brewers on Thursday, a day after stranding eight runners in a 3-1 defeat.

Though Marlins starter Josh Johnson (2-0, 2.91 ERA) should present a challenge Friday, Philadelphia has had success against the 25-year-old right-hander at Florida. Johnson is 1-1 with a 7.79 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance at home versus the Phillies.

He struggled in his last outing, giving up six runs and six hits in six innings before Florida rallied to beat Washington 9-6 in 11 innings Saturday.

Johnson will try to get the Marlins back on track after they pitched poorly against the Pirates, dropping the finale 7-4 on Wednesday. Florida had won seven straight and all six of its road games prior to its series with Pittsburgh.

"I think we'll be fine," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We'll get recharged when we get back home."

Florida is 5-1 at Dolphin Stadium, averaging 6.1 runs. The Marlins, though, have seen several of their top hitters cool off.

Dan Uggla is hitless in his last 21 at-bats and is batting .196 on the season. The second baseman has hit .344 (11-for-32) with three home runs against Brett Myers (1-1, 5.03), who gets the start for the Phillies on Friday.

Myers is 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance at Florida, and 6-10 with a 5.58 ERA in 22 starts and six relief appearances in his career versus the Marlins.

The right-hander had control problems in his last start, walking four while giving up three runs in 6 2-3 innings as Philadelphia lost 8-5 to San Diego on Saturday night.

The Phillies posted a 5.14 ERA last year against the Marlins, who won the season series 10-8.