Washington Nationals V Florida Marlins Live Streaming Online Major League Audio Radio Feed Espn 360 Gamecast May 6, 2011. Game Review: The last time he got the ball, Ricky Nolasco helped the Florida Marlins rebound from one of their few ineffective bullpen efforts.
Nolasco looks to get the Marlins back in the win column this time following an unusually poor start from the team's ace.
Nolasco takes the mound Friday night when the Marlins open a six-game homestand against the Washington Nationals.
After Marlins relievers allowed a season high-tying four runs and six hits to prevent Josh Johnson from picking up the win April 30 in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Cincinnati, Nolasco (3-0, 3.35 ERA) threw seven innings of three-run ball the next day in a 9-5 victory over the Reds.
7:10 PM ET, May 6, 2011
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida
"It's great for us to bounce back," he said after improving to 31-22 in his career following a Marlins loss.
Nolasco will try to help Florida (19-11) rebound again after Johnson was tagged for a season-high five runs in Thursday's 6-3 loss at St. Louis.
While the team's starters posted a 5.10 ERA on the 4-3 trip, the Marlins' rotation has a 2.83 ERA while helping the club get off to its best home start (10-5) in 14 seasons.
Florida, 38-19 at home against the Nationals franchise since it relocated prior to the 2005 season, had won seven straight overall against Washington (14-17) prior to the teams' last matchup, a Nationals' 5-3, 11-inning victory in Miami on April 7.
Washington makes its second visit to Florida this season after getting swept for the first time in 2011, losing three to Philadelphia to open its nine-game road stretch.
Trying to avoid their first 0-4 skid since Sept. 17-20, the Nationals could use a solid effort from Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 4.29) in the series opener after the team's starters allowed 17 runs and 27 hits in the Phillies series.
In his last outing, Zimmermann ended a personal three-game skid by giving up two runs and six hits over six innings of Sunday's 5-2 home win over San Francisco. The right-hander's 107 pitches were the most he's thrown since returning from Tommy John surgery last August.
"I try to get stronger as the game goes on, and I felt fine the whole game," Zimmermann said. "I still felt strong at the end."
He is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts versus Florida.
Marlins right fielder Mike Stanton, 2 for 4 with two home runs against Zimmermann, has three of his five homers in the last five games.
Second baseman Omar Infante could also be a tough out for the Nationals right-hander. Since being dropped from the 2-hole to the eighth spot in the lineup two games ago, Infante is 5 for 8 with a double and three RBIs.
"A couple of days ago, I didn't feel good. Now I'm feeling more comfortable," he told the Marlins' official website.
So is Nationals infielder Alex Cora, who is 7 for 12 in four games this month after hitting .139 in 18 April contests. Cora is 5 for 11 with a double and a triple off Nolasco.
Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez is hitting .373 in 47 home games against Washington, but the three-time All-Star is batting a career-low .200 after going 6 for 29 on the trip. Ramirez is batting .148 (12 for 81) off right-handers.
Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel will likely miss a fourth straight game Friday with a sprained wrist.
Nolasco takes the mound Friday night when the Marlins open a six-game homestand against the Washington Nationals.
After Marlins relievers allowed a season high-tying four runs and six hits to prevent Josh Johnson from picking up the win April 30 in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Cincinnati, Nolasco (3-0, 3.35 ERA) threw seven innings of three-run ball the next day in a 9-5 victory over the Reds.
7:10 PM ET, May 6, 2011
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida
Nolasco will try to help Florida (19-11) rebound again after Johnson was tagged for a season-high five runs in Thursday's 6-3 loss at St. Louis.
While the team's starters posted a 5.10 ERA on the 4-3 trip, the Marlins' rotation has a 2.83 ERA while helping the club get off to its best home start (10-5) in 14 seasons.
Florida, 38-19 at home against the Nationals franchise since it relocated prior to the 2005 season, had won seven straight overall against Washington (14-17) prior to the teams' last matchup, a Nationals' 5-3, 11-inning victory in Miami on April 7.
Washington makes its second visit to Florida this season after getting swept for the first time in 2011, losing three to Philadelphia to open its nine-game road stretch.
Trying to avoid their first 0-4 skid since Sept. 17-20, the Nationals could use a solid effort from Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 4.29) in the series opener after the team's starters allowed 17 runs and 27 hits in the Phillies series.
In his last outing, Zimmermann ended a personal three-game skid by giving up two runs and six hits over six innings of Sunday's 5-2 home win over San Francisco. The right-hander's 107 pitches were the most he's thrown since returning from Tommy John surgery last August.
"I try to get stronger as the game goes on, and I felt fine the whole game," Zimmermann said. "I still felt strong at the end."
He is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts versus Florida.
Marlins right fielder Mike Stanton, 2 for 4 with two home runs against Zimmermann, has three of his five homers in the last five games.
Second baseman Omar Infante could also be a tough out for the Nationals right-hander. Since being dropped from the 2-hole to the eighth spot in the lineup two games ago, Infante is 5 for 8 with a double and three RBIs.
"A couple of days ago, I didn't feel good. Now I'm feeling more comfortable," he told the Marlins' official website.
So is Nationals infielder Alex Cora, who is 7 for 12 in four games this month after hitting .139 in 18 April contests. Cora is 5 for 11 with a double and a triple off Nolasco.
Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez is hitting .373 in 47 home games against Washington, but the three-time All-Star is batting a career-low .200 after going 6 for 29 on the trip. Ramirez is batting .148 (12 for 81) off right-handers.
Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel will likely miss a fourth straight game Friday with a sprained wrist.
