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Dodgers-Marlins Preview

May 16, 2009 - 4:55 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Los Angeles (24-12) at Florida (17-18), 6:10 p.m. EDT

The revelation that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez had been suspended for testing positive for a banned substance had a dramatic impact on his team's play.

The slugger's first encounter with his teammates since that news broke didn't appear to be nearly as distracting.

After winning their third straight hours after meeting with Ramirez, the Dodgers look to continue thriving without their superstar Saturday night against the struggling Florida Marlins in Miami.

Los Angeles (25-12) had won seven in a row when Ramirez's 50-game ban was announced last Thursday. The Dodgers lost four of their first five without their best hitter, a slump that didn't bode well for a team that won't get Ramirez back until July 3 at the earliest.

Los Angeles, though, has rebounded with a three-game winning streak. The Dodgers beat the Marlins 6-4 on Friday night, shortly after Ramirez met with his teammates for the first time since his punishment was handed down.

Ramirez made the short drive from his home to apologize to the Dodgers at their waterfront hotel before the opener of the three-game series. The meeting was brief, no more than 10 minutes, said third baseman Casey Blake - who, like manager Joe Torre and other players, declined to provide many specifics.

"I'm just glad that today has come and, you know, we got through it," Torre said. "I mean, I didn't think it'd be a problem getting through it. I knew it was something we had to do."

Juan Pierre, Ramirez's replacement in left field, hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the seventh inning Friday as the Dodgers rallied from a three-run deficit to improve the best record in the majors. Pierre also scored a run and went 2 for 4, lifting his batting average to .391.

"I just do what I know I can do and keep it in my elements," he said. "Right now I'm finding some holes. It feels good to contribute and help the team win."

While the Dodgers have handled adversity well, the Marlins (17-19) have been unable to shake a prolonged slump. They've lost five straight to fall to 6-18 since a franchise-best 11-1 start.

"It's just a run of bad luck," said Dan Uggla, whose average dropped to .182 with an 0-for-4 performance Friday. "You have to keep working."

Andrew Miller (0-1, 6.94 ERA) is expected to return from the disabled list and start for Florida on Saturday. The left-hander went on the DL with a strained right oblique April 21 after giving up four runs over 4 2-3 innings in each of his previous two starts.

"I think the injury is a done issue," Miller told the Marlins' official Web site after his second rehab start with Double-A Jacksonville on Monday. "The strain is no longer an issue, and I think that's what we wanted to make sure was cleared up."

Being completely healthy could be particularly important for Miller against the Dodgers. He's posted a 25.07 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles, failing to last more than three innings in either.

Miller has never faced Blake, who's 10 for 19 with three home runs and six RBIs over his last five games and hitting .355 against lefties.

The Dodgers will hand the ball to Eric Milton for his first major league start since May 8, 2007. The left-hander went 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA for Cincinnati that year before elbow surgery ended his season. He went 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in seven starts with Triple-A Albuquerque this season.

Milton is 1-3 with a 5.94 ERA in six starts versus Florida, which he hasn't faced since April 2006.