MLB.com

Nolasco starts rubber game in Atlanta

Florida (74-74) at Atlanta (71-77), 1:05 p.m. ET

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

The Braves are on the brink of being eliminated from Wild Card contention, and on Saturday night they made the Marlins' postseason quest a bit more difficult.

The Marlins came up short, 2-1, as Anibal Sanchez's brilliant complete game ended up in a defeat that prevented the club from making up ground in the Wild Card standings.

 

Still, Florida can take the series and hope to build momentum in the final two weeks.

 

Sunday presents another challenge for the young Marlins.

 

In need of a fifth starter to log innings, rookie Ricky Nolasco is slotted back into the rotation. The 23-year-old right-hander makes his first start since Aug. 30, when he gave up six runs in four innings at St. Louis.

 

Afterward, Nolasco noted he was bothered by a pulled muscle behind his right knee. That minor ailment first surfaced in an Aug. 25 start at home while facing the Brewers. In that game, he gave up five runs in two-plus innings. Initially, he believed it was cramping, but it turned out being a muscle problem.

 

Manager Joe Girardi is hoping Nolasco can go six innings or 100 pitches.

 

Nolasco has enjoyed some success against the Braves. In three starts, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA, giving up four earned runs in 16 2/3 innings. He's also tossed two scoreless innings of relief. So, his overall ERA while taking on Atlanta is 1.93.

 

In September, he has made two relief appearances, giving up one run in three innings. He last pitched on Sept. 12, throwing one-plus innings against the Mets. He was touched for one run.

 

The Braves, on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from the Wild Card race, are calling upon one of their pitching stars to take the mound.

 

Tim Hudson is going on three-days' rest, after tossing five innings in a loss against the Phillies on Sept. 13. Pitching in that doubleheader, the right-hander gave up five runs in five innings. He threw 95 pitches.

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: RHP Ricky Nolasco (11-9, 4.71 ERA)

Nolasco is slated to make his first start since working four innings at St. Louis on Aug. 30. In that game, he was lifted because of soreness behind his right knee. The rookie has thrown two relief appearances since. This will be his third start of the season against the Braves.

 

ATL: RHP Tim Hudson (12-11, 4.95 ERA)

Despite allowing 10 homers in his past five starts, Hudson has lost just once in his past eight outings. His lone setback came on Wednesday, when he allowed the Phillies a pair of two-run homers in a five-inning effort. Since beginning August with four solid appearances, Hudson has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his past five starts.

 

Player to watch

Braves second baseman Marcus Giles had an RBI double and scored a run Saturday night. In the series, he has a home run and four RBIs.

 

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: Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 7-8, 6.12) at Mets (LHP Dave Williams, 5-4, 6.62), 7:10 p.m. ET

? Tuesday: Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 12-8, 3.98) at Mets (LHP Tom Glavine, 13-6, 3.99), 7:10 p.m. ET

? Wednesday: Marlins (LHP Dontrelle Willis, 11-11, 3.80) at Mets (LHP Oliver Perez, 3-11, 6.61), 7:10 p.m. ET

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

 

 

 

guys you know what we gotta do. this is a must win! GO FISH and may the Baseball Gods be on our side.

Jus win FISH!

:pray GO MARLINS :kiss .

I'm praying to the frozen head of Ted Williams as I type.

Lets go fish!!! Get 'em Rick!

 

Have you guys heard Ron Gant call our games against Atlanta? I think he wants to make babies with our rotation... odd.

I'm praying to the frozen head of Ted Williams as I type.

 

Somebody should make a bobble-head of the frozen head.

Win today and take the series

 

Thats all I can ask for from here on out.

for the record the game IS on TBS

I want a blowout win.

a must win! take this game and show them we just dont give in!

 

GO MARLINS!!!

LETS GO FISH!!!!!!!

Elimination # is 12. Win and hope LA wins.

Enjoy the game fellas.

 

Elimination # is 12. Win and hope LA wins.

 

Whatever happens we were not supposed to be in this situation so I will be happy no matter what.

 

Hanley grounds out, 1 out.

that looked fair to me

Uggla singles on a line drive to center field, 1 out. Come on Miggy!

stretches the streak and do I hear some Marlins fans?

Hudson being very careful with Cabs.

i love how skip does not look at the monitors so he doesn't talk about whose on screen! he just tells his stories

Cabrera strikes out.

 

Full-count on Josh and he grounds out to end the inning. Let's go Nolasco!

 

Phew that scared the hell out of me, one down.

Come on Ricky, stay calm and be efficient.

 

We get Pedro on Thur. :nailbite

The braves are hitting Noly hard, 2 down.

Inning Over. Let's go offense.

Inning over. Let's score a lot of runs.

Wow Nolasco got a 1-2-3

That second pitch was ouside

 

Make him work, Cody