AT

 

 

AT

 

J. Johnson AT J. Smoltz

(8-5, 2.49) at (7-5, 3.43)

 

 

Don't look now, but the Marlins are knocking at the door to take over second place. After the latest brilliant starting pitching performance, Anibal Sanchez's seven strong innings Tuesday in a 2-1 win over the Braves, the Marlins are a half-game behind Atlanta for second place.

 

The Marlins will strive to make their winning streak five Wednesday. If they succeed, they will be in sole possession of second.

 

Florida sends rookie Josh Johnson to the mound in a matchup with one of the game's toughest competitors, John Smoltz.

 

In his young career, Johnson is already well acquainted with the Braves. He's faced them five times, with four starts. As a September callup in 2005, he made his first big-league start against Atlanta.

 

This season, the 6-foot-7 rookie is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA while facing his division rival.

 

On June 13, Johnson was matched up with Smoltz. That day, the rookie got the best of the veteran, as the Marlins won, 4-1.

 

Johnson gave up two runs in six innings, striking out seven that night. Smoltz, meanwhile, allowed three runs in six innings.

 

A reliever when the season began, Johnson is 7-3 with a 2.30 ERA in 14 starts. On the road, he is 3-3 with a 2.62 ERA.

 

Smoltz (7-5) faces the Marlins for the third time this season. While taking on Florida in his brilliant career, the right-hander is 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA.

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (8-5, 2.49 ERA)

A model of consistency, Johnson comes off a solid seven-inning outing, giving up two runs on four hits against the Pirates. However, he was not involved in the decision. The rookie right-hander has worked at least five innings in all 14 of his starts. And he's given up three or fewer runs in 13 of his starts. He has faced the Braves twice this season, posting a win on May 10.

 

ATL: RHP John Smoltz (7-5, 3.43 ERA)

The king of the no-decision was at it again in his last start, getting his ninth "ND" of the year in Philadelphia. Smoltz went seven innings, giving up seven hits and three runs. His downfall was a pair of home runs that gave the Phillies their only runs against Smoltz. The right-hander is 0-1 in two starts against he Marlins this season, allowing six earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.

 

Player to watch

Cody Ross, seeing more action in center field for Reggie Abercrombie, connected on two home runs Tuesday. He now has four home runs in his last six games.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA (Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Thursday: Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 8-4, 4.01) at Braves (RHP Jason Shiell, 0-1, 9.00), 1:05 p.m. ET

? Friday: Marlins (RHP Ricky Nolasco, 8-6, 4.27) at Phillies (RHP Brett Myers, 6-4, 3.74), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Saturday: Marlins (LHP Dontrelle Willis, 6-7, 3.97) at Phillies (LHP Cole Hamels, 2-5, 5.98), 7:05 p.m. ET

 

 

 

Marlins seek to move into second place in the NL East and pass at least one team in the wild card hunt....lets go FISH lets give JJ some offense tonight

 

 

:marlins

Let's get this done

Just win. Let's go Marlins!

Does anybody know if both Andruw and Chipper Jones will be in the game?

I'm not sure, but either way, im confident that Johnson can win this.

Does anybody know if both Andruw and Chipper Jones will be in the game?

 

Andruw will probably not be in

Chipper probably will be in

 

anyway good luck Marlin fans :bases_homerun:

wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!

Does anybody know if both Andruw and Chipper Jones will be in the game?

 

Andruw will probably not be in

Chipper probably will be in

 

anyway good luck Marlin fans :bases_homerun:

 

i think its the other way around. Chipper is prolly out for the series up until Friday. and Andruw might start tonight if not he will pinchit again and most likely start tomorrow.

 

 

but enough about that lmao LETS GO MARLINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:marlins LETS GO MARLINS!!!! :marlins

GO MARLINS!!!

Does anybody know if both Andruw and Chipper Jones will be in the game?

 

Andruw will probably not be in

Chipper probably will be in

 

anyway good luck Marlin fans :bases_homerun:

 

i think its the other way around. Chipper is prolly out for the series up until Friday. and Andruw might start tonight if not he will pinchit again and most likely start tomorrow.

 

 

but enough about that lmao LETS GO MARLINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It looks like Braveschop was right. From today's Herald ?

 

BRAVES' INJURIES

 

The Marlins aren't likely to see much of Atlanta's Andruw Jones, the team leader in homers (24) and RBI (88), during the series, but Chipper Jones is expected to start tonight.

 

Andruw Jones, who was hitting .280, missed his third consecutive start Tuesday because of a sore back that he said makes breathing difficult. The Braves don't expect him back in the lineup until the weekend although he did make an appearance as a pinch-hitter Tuesday, striking out in the eighth inning against Taylor Tankersley.

 

Chipper Jones -- who has a career-high, 20-game hitting streak, during which he has hit .512 -- also missed his third consecutive start Tuesday because of a strained left oblique muscle.

Amezaga

Uggla

Cabrera

Jacobs

Ross

Hermida

Borchard

Johnson

 

Giles

Renteria

Betemit

A. Jones

McCann

Francoeur

LaRoche

Langerhans

Smoltz

Does anybody know if both Andruw and Chipper Jones will be in the game?

 

 

Latest News Jul. 26, 2006 - 9:03 am et Chipper Jones (strained left oblique) is doubtful for Wednesday's game after feeling pain during a batting practice session on Tuesday,

"Still painful," Jones said. "I'm tired of this [stuff]. But if I can't be productive, having Wilson [betemit] allows me the freedom to stay out until I'm healthy." Jones has missed three straight games due to the sore oblique.

The king of the no-decision was at it again in his last start, getting his ninth "ND" of the year in Philadelphia :king

Amezaga

Uggla

Cabrera

Jacobs

Ross

Hermida

Borchard

Johnson

 

Giles

Renteria

Betemit

A. Jones

McCann

Francoeur

LaRoche

Langerhans

Smoltz

Am I seeing things or is JJ throwing to the home plate umpire tonight? :lol

Amezaga

Uggla

Cabrera

Jacobs

Ross

Hermida

Borchard

Johnson

 

Giles

Renteria

Betemit

A. Jones

McCann

Francoeur

LaRoche

Langerhans

Smoltz

 

Its pretty disappointing that we can't make Amezaga a full time starter.

 

Amezaga

Uggla

Cabrera

Jacobs

Ross

Hermida

Borchard

Johnson

 

Giles

Renteria

Betemit

A. Jones

McCann

Francoeur

LaRoche

Langerhans

Smoltz

Am I seeing things or is JJ throwing to the home plate umpire tonight? :lol

Charles Johnson is catching today. :whistle

sorry... Olivo is catching and hitting 8th