Marlins vs Pirates---7:05et--at PNC Park

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July 17, 200421 yr

vs.

Carl Pavano (9-4, 2.85) vs. Kip Wells (4-6, 4.71)

07/16/2004 10:40 PM ET

Pavano paves the way for Fish

Florida (45-44) at Pittsburgh (40-47), 7:05 p.m. ET

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

Carl Pavano played the role of stopper much of the first half, often rebounding the Marlins to victory after they suffered a defeat.

The Marlins are counting on their All-Star right-hander to get them back on track again Saturday night.

Tripped up 6-2 by the Pirates on Friday, the Marlins have lost four straight at PNC Park to the Pirates dating back to last season. They've fallen six of their last seven times in Pittsburgh.

In the midst of a 10-game, four-city road swing, the Marlins are searching to start the second half off on a high.

After starting the season 9-2, Pavano has dropped his last two decisions, although he pitched fairly effectively. It was the first time the right-hander lost back-to-back starts since Sept. 16 and Sept. 21, 2003.

Pavano has faced the Pirates nine times, and he has last beat them on Sept. 8, 2002, in Pittsburgh.

As a Marlin, Pavano is 24-19 with a 3.76 ERA.

Players to Watch:(Credit: Joe Frisaro / Special to MLB.com)

Juan Pierre had two hits Friday, including a triple, to extend his hitting streak to seven games.
Jeff Conine has five RBIs in his last two games.
Juan Pierre is 4-for-8 off Wells with two walks and two stolen bases.
All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson has gone 4-for-12 against the Marlins this season.

Quotable:(Credit: Joe Frisaro / Special to MLB.com)

"We've got to figure out over these next two games a way to beat them."-- Juan Pierre, on snapping a four-game losing streak at PNC Park

Quick Hits:(Credit: Joe Frisaro / Special to MLB.com)

Josh Willingham, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning Friday, caught for the first time in his Major League career. Willingham has appeared in four games since being brought up from Double-A Carolina, and he's played mainly left field.

On Television:

Marlins station: FSN

Pirates station: FSN

On Radio:

Marlins station: Sports radio/WQAM 560 AM; WQBA 1140 AM Spanish

Pirates station: KDKA 1020 AM

On Internet:

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

On Webcast:

DT, rferry, Cape, and Co...

DT's Prediction: Some how, some way, a miracle will happen, the Florida Marlins offense will actually score runs... Fish win 25-3 dammit

This thread will be locked 3 hours after the game has ended.

July 17, 200421 yr

please let Willy play!

July 17, 200421 yr

Small ball guys. Let's score some runs whatever way possible.

July 17, 200421 yr

Lets just win I don't care how its done

July 17, 200421 yr

Yahoo! Game Preview

Looking to remain in the thick of the NL East division race, the defending World Series champion Florida Marlins will try to avoid prolonging their slide as they face Kip Wells and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

The Marlins have dropped eight of 12, including Friday's 6-2 loss that left them in a fourth-place tie with the New York Mets, two games back of the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

Wells is 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins, including a 3-1 victory on July 5. The right-hander allowed just four hits with eight strikeouts over eight innings.

The Pirates, last in the NL Central, have won eight straight at PNC Park, their longest run at home since reeling off eight in a row from Aug. 18-Sept. 5, 1992, during their last division-winning season.

Jason Bay and Rob Mackowiak hit solo homers Friday en route to Pittsburgh's 13th win in 17 games.

Bay is batting .478 (11-for-23) with four homers, four doubles, and 14 RBIs in his last six games. Mackowiak hit his first homer since June 11 against Oakland.

Mackowiak is the only current Pittsburgh player to homer off Marlins ace Carl Pavano, who is scheduled to pitch Saturday. The third baseman has homered twice off the right-hander while batting .400 (4-for-10) with four RBIs.

Pavano, who gave up a two-run homer in his first All-Star appearance on Tuesday, has lost his last two starts following a career-high six-game win streak. His most recent loss was a 4-3 decision to the Pirates on July 7, in which he gave up one run and seven hits while striking out six over six innings. He is 3-4 with a 5.03 ERA in nine career starts against Pittsburgh.