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Dodgers-Marlins Preview

May 15, 2009 - 7:58 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Los Angeles (24-12) at Florida (17-18), 7:10 p.m. EDT

In their first week without Manny Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced ups and downs on the field as well as their share of distractions in the clubhouse.

With the suspended slugger speaking to his teammates prior to a three-game series in Florida that begins Friday night, the Dodgers might have to put aside another round of distractions while trying to dispatch the struggling Marlins.

"It's a distraction, but I don't mind distractions as long as you can leave it (in the clubhouse) and not take it out there," manager Joe Torre said.

Major League Baseball handed down Ramirez's 50-game suspension for a failed drug test May 7, and Los Angeles lost four of its first five without him in the lineup. The Dodgers (24-12) rebounded for consecutive victories in Philadelphia, winning 5-3 in 10 innings Thursday.

On Saturday, Ramirez met with Los Angeles owner Frank McCourt, who asked the left fielder to apologize in person to his teammates. With Ramirez living in suburban Miami, he met with the team Friday.

"We all make mistakes, and it's how we deal with those mistakes that really differentiates one from the other," McCourt said.

Surprisingly, it's the Dodgers pitchers - not their hitters - who struggled more following Ramirez's departure.

After yielding 10 runs during its first six games in May, Los Angeles allowed 26 over the next five - a span that included a shutout from Friday's scheduled starter Eric Stults (4-1, 3.58 ERA). The Dodgers settled down to give up five runs in their victories over the Phillies, who beat them in five games in last year's NLCS.

Los Angeles has batted .314 with 40 runs and 27 extra-base hits (five home runs) over the past seven games, and the Dodgers have recorded at least 11 hits in five straight heading into this series.

They might not need much offense if Stults can repeat Saturday's performance against San Francisco. In his second career shutout, the left-hander allowed four hits and walked none in an 8-0 victory.

In his attempt to win a third straight start, Stults will face his counterpart from his previous meeting against the Marlins on July 11 - right-hander Chris Volstad (2-2, 2.98).

Volstad got the better of that matchup in giving up one run over 8 2-3 innings in a 3-1 victory in Los Angeles, while Stults allowed three runs over six.

Despite yielding three earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, Volstad hasn't earned a victory since April 14.

Florida is 6-17 since a franchise record 11-1 start and has lost four straight, including a three-game sweep in Milwaukee. The Marlins (17-18) have won once in their last seven home games.

Following a .273 start, Florida has batted .221 in the last 23 games and has a 5.17 ERA after a 3.80 mark in its first 12 contests.

"We had a great run early on," first baseman Ross Gload said. "But once we get it all together, I think things will be right back where they should be."

The Marlins were swept in a three-game series at home against the Dodgers in 2008 before winning three of four in Los Angeles later in the season.