--- vs. ---

Halama 4-2, 3.72 ---- vs. ---- Burnett 0-3, 5.04

 

 

Burnett gets nod after quick rest

07/03/2004 11:24 PM ETBy Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

On three days' rest, A.J. Burnett is set to take the mound in hopes of putting an end to a four-game losing streak.

 

The Marlins turn to the hard-throwing right-hander to salvage the final game of the Citrus Series with Tampa Bay at Pro Player Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

Upended on successive nights, the Marlins have matched their season-worst losing streak.

 

Burnett is getting the nod on short notice because his last start was disrupted by a rain delay. In Atlanta last Wednesday, Burnett tossed 30 total pitches in one-plus innings. He was not involved in the decision.

 

The Marlins are striving to spark their sluggish offense, which has managed just four runs in the last three games.

 

"It's been tough, and I think we kind of, based on last year, spoiled the fans in Florida," Marlins hitting coach Bill Robinson said. "Every team in baseball goes through what we're going through now. And every team goes through their hot streak. We have not had our hot streak yet."

 

The Marlins are now 6-11 in Interleague Play this year. Sunday, they hope to reverse their trend on the Fourth of July.

 

Prior to the game, the Marlins will participate in the Baseball Salutes America program. The National Anthem and colorguard will be provided by the Homestead Air Force Base. A U.S. soldier who served in Iraq will throw out the first pitch.

 

 

Pitching matchup

TB: LHP John Halama

4-2, 3.72 ERA in 2004

0-0, 0.00 ERA vs. FLA in 2003

0-0, 0.00 ERA lifetime vs. FLA

 

FLA: RHP A.J. Burnett

0-3, 5.04 ERA in 2004

0-1, 2.25 vs. TB in 2004

2-1, 2.66 ERA lifetime vs. TB

 

Players to watch

Juan Pierre had three of the five hits Saturday. Counting a 2-for-4 Friday, Pierre posted his first multihit games back-to-back since May 30-31 against the Mets. ... Hee Seop Choi was on base four times Saturday, going 1-for-1 and walking three times. Saturday was the fourth time Choi has walked three or more times in his career.

 

 

 

Quotable

"We're not playing good now. We're playing bad. We have to play like we did when the season started." -- second baseman Luis Castillo.

 

On the Internet

 MLB.TV

 Gameday Audio

 Gameday

 Official game notes

 

On television

FLA: PAX

TB: PAX

 

 

On radio

FLA: 560 WQAM, 1140 AM WQBA (Español)

TB: 970 AM WFLA

 

Quick hits

Tim Spooneybarger, recovering from Tommy John surgery, has had two solid weeks of throwing and he has not ruled out pitching this season. Spooneybarger said Saturday that he is striving to be available in September, barring any setbacks. ... The Marlins matched their season-high by receiving eight walks Saturday. On May 21 vs. Arizona, the Marlins also were issued eight free passes. ... Saturday marked the 10th crowd of better than 30,000 this season. ... Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford is 6-for-6 in stolen bases against the Marlins this season. ... Sunday's give-away is an electric fish fan to the first 10,000. ... This month's "Papa John's Pitcher of the Month" promotion is A.J. Burnett. If Burnett gets a win in Marlins home games, fans can redeem their ticket for a free small cheese pizza. Fans have 48 hours following the game to redeem their pizza.

 

 

 

On deck

Monday: Pittsburgh at Marlins, 7:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Marlins, 7:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday: Pittsburgh at Marlins, 7:05 p.m. ET

Thursday: off

Friday: Mets at Marlins, 7:35 p.m. ET

Saturday: Mets at Marlins, 6:05 p.m. ET

Sunday: Mets at Marlins, 3:05 p.m. ET This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

:usaflag

Happy Independence Day!

:marlins

WIN

Any guess on crowd size?

50,000

66,666

66,666

439507[/snapback]

I thought Loria like to cap it at about 65,000?

I guess 27,568

Yeah, I'd say about 22,000 since it's a Sunday.

31816

i think it's gonna be in the teens and im not feeling so good.

23,456.7368099

:marlins

 

I hope there is a big crowd there today! Maybe it will make the Fish feel better

 

There was a nice crowd there last night!

Bases loaded, nobody out for Manny Ramirez

BOS 1 - ATL 0

TOP 3rd TBS

A double into the gap makes it 3-0 Boston.

Manny on second, Nomar on third with nobody out.

 

Another run scores on a ground out. 4-0 Sox.

Man on third, 1 out.

2 gone as Hampton takes a hit away from Millar.

Mets leading 1-0 in the first

 

Javy Vaz is struggling and the Ump is calling as bad a game on each side as you could want...

3-0 Mets.

 

Ty WiggintOWNED Javy V

 

2r HR to RF.

4-1 Red Sox

Javy Lopez HR...1-0 O's

Btw... Happy Birthday George... your Yanks are losing... :plain

Btw... Happy Birthday George... your Yanks are losing... :plain

439956[/snapback]

:anon

 

I so hate you.

Btw... Happy Birthday George... your Yanks are losing... :plain

439956[/snapback]

:anon

 

I so hate you.

439957[/snapback]

 

I don't want to be in the shoes of any Yankee player right now... :plain