AT

 

 

 

VS.

 

Tom Gorzelanny vs. Dontrelle Willis

(0-2, 9.26 ERA) (6-7, 3.94 ERA)

 

Riding high behind strong starting pitching, the Marlins put themselves in position to take the four-game series with the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Behind a brilliant start by Ricky Nolasco, Florida blanked Pittsburgh, 5-0, on Saturday night to take two of the first three.

 

The Marlins now turn to their ace, Dontrelle Willis, to close out the series and homestand. Winners of two straight, the Marlins are 6-4 since the All-Star break.

 

Involved in two straight no-decisions, Willis (6-7) again will try to even his record. The D-Train has won five of his last six decisions. He last won on July 7 at Shea, giving up three runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Mets.

 

In his last two outings, the 24-year-old left-hander has given up six earned runs in 13 2/3 innings.

 

Surprisingly, Willis has struggled at home. In nine starts at Dolphin Stadium, he is 2-4 with a 6.17 ERA. As for pitching in day games, the southpaw is 1-3 with a 2.60 ERA in six starts.

 

A year ago, Willis went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA against the Pirates. He is 2-2 with a 2.48 ERA lifetime when facing Pittsburgh.

 

The Pirates are starting rookie left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, who is off to an 0-2 start, with a 9.26 ERA, in his young career.

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis (6-7, 3.94 ERA)

Unable to hold a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning of his last start, Willis settled for a no-decision against the Nationals. In 6 2/3 innings, he allowed five earned runs, his highest run total in 13 starts.

 

PIT: LHP Tom Gorzelanny (0-2, 9.26 ERA)

Gorzelanny's welcome to the big leagues has not been a gracious one. The 23-year-old lefty has struggled in his transition to Pittsburgh. In his start on Tuesday against the Rockies, Gorzelanny allowed seven runs -- five earned -- over just 2 2/3 innings.

 

Player to watch

Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida had an RBI double and two singles on Saturday night, marking his fourth three-hit game of the season. Hermida is batting .375 (12-for-32) with three RBIs on the homestand.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

• Gameday

• Official game notes

 

On television

• SUN

 

 

On radio

• 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

Up next

• Monday: Off-day

• Tuesday: Marlins (RHP Anibal Sanchez, 3-0, 3.41) at Braves (LHP Chuck James, 4-0, 3.72), 7:35 p.m. ET

• Wednesday: Marlins (RHP Josh Johnson, 8-5, 2.49) at Braves (RHP John Smoltz, 7-5, 3.43), 7:35 p.m. ET

 

 

 

Pinch-hitting topic...40 mins before game time and no game thread so here it is

 

 

GO FISH

 

:marlins

 

Finish off this series on a high note

Tom Gorzelanny

(0-2, 9.26 ERA)

 

Another 9.00+ ERA pitcher. I'm telling you the guy we face in game 1 with the ERA over 5.00 was their Ace pitcher. This team has a wierd combination of a one of the all-time worst starting staff but has one of the best bullpen out there right now leading the NL in ERA.

Pinch-hitting topic...40 mins before game time and no game thread so here it is

 

man...you're 0-3.

 

where's all-time when we need him?

What a lively game thread. :plain

bases juiced, no outs.

 

dontrelle K's two in a row.

 

now bases juiced, two outs, craig wilson at the plate.

Wow if he gets out of this without a run....

1 more, Dontrelle

holy sh*t 1-2 to craig wilson.

Get it Train!

K'S THE SIDE!

Holy crap what a display of professionalism and CLUTCHNESS!!!

That was amazing

wow

10 out of 10 times, Nolasco, Sanchez, Olsen and Johnson give up a run there.

 

That.was.huge.

Amazing job by Dontrelle!

Darn....it looked like Uggla was swinging at crap....

this ump has a giant strikezone today.

 

looks like he wants to get out of the heat ASAP.

nice, quick 9 pitch inning for Dontrelle... after a 27 pitch 1st inning....

 

Ross, "Hammer", Helms due up....

Stay white, Cody.

Sacks filled with Fish....let's get some runs.....

and he flies out to deep shortstop

 

:plain

 

Ross is making Reggie look bad.

 

:thumbdown

 

Reggie makes Reggie look bad

 

:shifty

WOOO Matt

Maybe D-Train can help himself here.

Dontrelle is crazy.

:lol :lol :lol :lol

 

 

DONTRELLE, lol