(mlb.com)

Sanchez set to start in finale

Florida (75-77) at New York (92-59), 7:10 p.m. ET

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

At the time of year rookies are supposed to wear down, Anibal Sanchez remarkably is getting stronger.

The Marlins' prize 22-year-old right-hander looks to keep building on his September success on Thursday in the season finale with the Mets.

 

Florida now has a bit of momentum after beating the Mets, 6-3, on Wednesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.

 

Sanchez has stepped up in the final month, posting a 3-1 mark with a 1.74 ERA in four starts. His lone loss was his last outing, where he tossed an eight-inning complete-game, but ended up losing, 2-1, to John Smoltz and the Braves.

 

Also in this startling month was Sanchez's finest hour -- a Sept. 6 no-hitter against the Diamondbacks. For the season, Sanchez has thrown 102 1/3 innings for the Marlins and 188 combined innings counting 15 Double-A starts.

 

Sanchez draws another tough assignment on Thursday. He faces the division-winning Mets, who are starting veteran Pedro Martinez.

 

Already this season, Sanchez has taken on a number of challenges. He won his big-league debut on June 25 at Yankee Stadium. He faced his former organization, the Red Sox, on July 1, and had his roughest day as a big leaguer. In 4 1/3 innings of relief, he was tagged for seven runs.

 

Sanchez certainly overcame that outing, and on July 14, he won a decision over Roger Clemens and the Astros. That night, he gave up two hits in seven innings.

 

On Sept. 11, Sanchez gave up three runs in seven innings, beating the Mets in Miami.

 

The veteran Martinez, meanwhile, has dropped two straight decisions. He gave up four runs in three innings his last time out, throwing 68 pitches in a loss at Pittsburgh.

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: RHP Anibal Sanchez (8-3, 2.90)

Sanchez deserved a better fate in his last start. Still, the rookie gave up two runs and tossed his second career complete game. But he ended up on the losing end of a 2-1 decision to John Smoltz and the Braves. The 22-year-old had his string of four straight wins snapped, and he was on the losing end for the first time since Aug. 4 to the Dodgers. Sanchez beat the Mets on Sept. 11, giving up three runs on four hits in seven innings.

 

NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez (9-6, 4.03)

This is the latest point in a season Martinez's ERA has been 4.00 or greater. He has allowed 10 runs in four innings in his last two starts -- on Aug. 14 in Philadelphia and Friday night in Pittsburgh. He was distressed by his ineffective work against the Pirates. By the time he starts against the Marlins on Thursday, he will have thrown merely 104 pitches in 43 days and only 389 since June 28. His arm strength has to be affected.

 

Player to watch

Josh Willingham has had a strong season facing the Mets. On the year, he is 23-for-63 (.365) with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

SNY in New York

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Friday: Marlins (RHP Ricky Nolasco, 11-9, 4.56) at Phillies (LHP Cole Hamels, 8-8, 4.21), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Saturday: Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 7-9, 6.09) at Phillies (RHP Jon Lieber, 8-10, 5.03), 1:20 p.m. ET

? Sunday: Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 12-8, 3.87) at Phillies (LHP Jamie Moyer, 9-14, 4.27), 1:35 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.

 

 

 

Can Dontrelle play 1b tonight?

LETS GO MARLINS...keep the faith!

Win this game and get a split.

 

GO MARLINS!!

Any news about Miggy yet?

Lets make Pedro cry :boo-woo . Cry Pedro Cry!!!!!!!! :boo-woo

Go Marlins....GIT R DONE

 

 

:marlins

We should know by the pre-game show if Cabs is in the lineup or not.

About time to play ball

2 quick outs

 

Crap Hammer. K. GO ANIBAL!!

Fish 1-2-3'd in the 1st

 

Let's go Anibal!

 

Nice K to start things off

 

Great inning Anibal

Nice start Mr. Anibal.

 

:boo-woo - Pedro better do this tonight.

 

Jake has been having some nice AB's lately. Walk.

Anibal!

Let's go Helms

Helms .

Damnit

Pedro is so Uggla.

Go other JoBo

Guys... This is not yappy hour. Get on with the game.

Let's go Anibal

:plain Borch. Gotta make Pedro look bad.

Pedro's velocity isn't there. Hopefully fatigue catches up to him.

How fast is Pedro pitching?

 

Crap. Good pitch bad result.

Damn you Delgado, how about a DP here

BREAKING NEWS!! (Off-Topic)

 

Beckett's ERA is under 5. (4.99)

D'oh.

BREAKING NEWS!! (Off-Topic)

 

Beckett's ERA is under 5. (4.99)

 

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