Arizona Diamondbacks vs Florida Marlins MLB Live Streaming 5/10 Online Radio Commentary Station Live Major League Baseball Experts Review: Anibal Sanchez put together a stellar run through most of May, with his last victory coming on the final day of the month against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That was also the last victory for the Florida Marlins.
Sanchez (5-1, 2.97 ERA) went 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA in his last five starts of May, culminating when he allowed two runs in eight innings of a 5-2 road victory over the Diamondbacks. Florida (31-30) has lost eight straight since, including Thursday's 3-2 defeat to Atlanta.
Another loss Friday would give Florida its longest skid since dropping 10 straight June 14-25, 1999. The Marlins' eight-game home slide is their longest since losing 11 consecutive home games April 15-May 9, 2006.
The dismissal of hitting coach John Mallee earlier Thursday did nothing to spark an offense which has totaled six runs in its last four games. Mike Stanton hit his 14th home run, but it was his only hit in four at-bats. The young right fielder, who was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday, is 4 for 23 in his last seven games.
Starter Chris Volstad took a no-hitter into the sixth inning yet suffered the loss.
"One hit here or there and it's a whole different game each of the last seven games," Volstad said. "It's not like we're out of it by any means."
Sanchez gave up five runs over 39 innings during his May surge, but he also gave up five Sunday against Milwaukee in only five innings of the Marlins' 11-inning, 6-5 loss.
Arizona's Justin Upton, who homered off Sanchez last month, went 2 for 4 on Thursday as the Diamondbacks (34-29) snapped their three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh.
Chris Young also had two hits, including a two-run homer in the eighth, and is batting .348 during a six-game hitting streak.
"I think he's getting better at what kind of pitch he wants to hit in that situation," manager Kirk Gibson said of Young's homer. "He put a good quick swing on it, and it was big."
Gibson will give the ball to Joe Saunders (3-5, 4.32 ERA), who has won his last three starts while posting a 2.57 ERA. The left-hander limited Washington to two hits and two walks Saturday in seven innings of Arizona's 2-0 victory.
Saunders benefited from generous support May 30, when he got credit for a 15-4 win over the Marlins after allowing four runs in six innings. It was his first career start versus Florida.
Diamondbacks starters have a 1.90 ERA and a .238 opponent batting average in 52 innings over the last eight games.
"The key is, they have the desire to fight through and believe in themselves," Gibson told the team's official website. "Stay with their strengths and learn to cover up their weaknesses. We've done a very good job of that."
The Marlins and Diamondbacks have alternated victories over their last 11 meetings.
That was also the last victory for the Florida Marlins.
7:10 PM ET, June 10, 2011
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida
Suffering through a skid that has already led to the firing of their hitting coach, the Marlins hope to avoid their longest losing streak in nearly 12 years Friday night when Sanchez takes the hill against visiting Arizona.Regular Season Series
Arizona leads 2-1 (as of Fri 6/10)
Mon 5/30 @ARI 15, FLA 4 Recap
Tue 5/31 FLA 5, @ARI 2 Recap
Wed 6/1 @ARI 6, FLA 5 Recap
Jun 10, 2011 ARI (Saunders) @ FLA (Sanchez) 7:10 PM ET
Jun 11, 2011 ARI (Kennedy) @ FLA (Vazquez) 7:10 PM ET
Jun 12, 2011 ARI (Hudson) @ FLA (Hand) 1:10 PM ET
Jun 13, 2011 ARI (Duke) @ FLA (Nolasco) 7:10 PM ET
Sanchez (5-1, 2.97 ERA) went 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA in his last five starts of May, culminating when he allowed two runs in eight innings of a 5-2 road victory over the Diamondbacks. Florida (31-30) has lost eight straight since, including Thursday's 3-2 defeat to Atlanta.
Another loss Friday would give Florida its longest skid since dropping 10 straight June 14-25, 1999. The Marlins' eight-game home slide is their longest since losing 11 consecutive home games April 15-May 9, 2006.
The dismissal of hitting coach John Mallee earlier Thursday did nothing to spark an offense which has totaled six runs in its last four games. Mike Stanton hit his 14th home run, but it was his only hit in four at-bats. The young right fielder, who was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday, is 4 for 23 in his last seven games.
Starter Chris Volstad took a no-hitter into the sixth inning yet suffered the loss.
"One hit here or there and it's a whole different game each of the last seven games," Volstad said. "It's not like we're out of it by any means."
Sanchez gave up five runs over 39 innings during his May surge, but he also gave up five Sunday against Milwaukee in only five innings of the Marlins' 11-inning, 6-5 loss.
Arizona's Justin Upton, who homered off Sanchez last month, went 2 for 4 on Thursday as the Diamondbacks (34-29) snapped their three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh.
Chris Young also had two hits, including a two-run homer in the eighth, and is batting .348 during a six-game hitting streak.
"I think he's getting better at what kind of pitch he wants to hit in that situation," manager Kirk Gibson said of Young's homer. "He put a good quick swing on it, and it was big."
Gibson will give the ball to Joe Saunders (3-5, 4.32 ERA), who has won his last three starts while posting a 2.57 ERA. The left-hander limited Washington to two hits and two walks Saturday in seven innings of Arizona's 2-0 victory.
Saunders benefited from generous support May 30, when he got credit for a 15-4 win over the Marlins after allowing four runs in six innings. It was his first career start versus Florida.
Diamondbacks starters have a 1.90 ERA and a .238 opponent batting average in 52 innings over the last eight games.
"The key is, they have the desire to fight through and believe in themselves," Gibson told the team's official website. "Stay with their strengths and learn to cover up their weaknesses. We've done a very good job of that."
The Marlins and Diamondbacks have alternated victories over their last 11 meetings.
