Marlins want rubber game vs. Rays

Tampa Bay (27-33) at Florida (31-32), 1:05 p.m. ET

By Tom Keller / MLB.com

 

Despite dropping Saturday's game to Tampa Bay, the Marlins have a chance to win back-to-back series when they face the Devil Rays in Sunday's rubber match.

 

Florida took three of four from Atlanta in its last series, then beat Tampa in Friday's series opener to even its record at .500 for the first time since it was 14-14 on May 4.

 

But the Devil Rays responded with a 6-2 win Saturday -- their first victory in five tries against Florida this season. The Marlins are 35-22 all-time against the Devil Rays, including 13 wins in their last 19 meetings.

 

A pair of young pitchers will be on the mound. Heralded Tampa prospect Andy Sonnanstine will make his second start since getting brought up from Triple-A Durham. Sonnanstine allowed six runs in seven innings in a no-decision against Toronto in his first start, but he didn't allow a walk and struck out six batters.

 

Florida counters with Rick Vanden Hurk, who gets the nod in place of the injured Sergio Mitre. Vanden Hurk took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start and was rewarded with his first Major League win. He's 0-1 with a 13.97 ERA in three starts at home this season.

 

Tampa Bay has not lost a three-game series since May 22-24 against Seattle.

 

FLA: RHP Rick Vanden Hurk (1-1, 8.50 ERA)

Vanden Hurk's fourth spot start with the Marlins was far and away his best. Pitching in the back end of Tuesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, Vanden Hurk took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and notched his first Major League win. He allowed only one hit and a pair of walks while striking out four in six shutout innings. The Netherlands native will get the call again in place of Sergio Mitre, whose start was pushed back because of a lingering right hamstring injury.

 

TB: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (0-0, 7.71 ERA)

Andy Sonnanstine made his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. He allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out five over seven innings. He was in line to pick up his first career victory, but the Rays bullpen coughed up six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning en route to a 12-11 loss. Sonnanstine earned a Pitcher of the Year Award at each Minor League level he has played at during his three professional seasons in Tampa Bay's development system. The 24-year-old was 6-4 with a 2.66 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Durham this season.

 

Player to watch

After going 3-for-4 in Saturday's game, Miguel Cabrera has three straight multi-hit outings. He's hitting .636 (7-for-11) in that span to raise his season average from .315 to .330.

 

On television

? FSN-HD

 

On radio

? WQAM 560, WQBA 1140 (Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Monday: Off-day

? Tuesday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 7-1, 3.11) at Marlins (Scott Olsen, 4-5, 5.27), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Wednesday: Indians (Cliff Lee, 2-4, 6.31) at Marlins (Byung-Hyun Kim, 3-2, 5.74), 7:05 p.m. ET

 

:marlins

He's from Holland, isn't that veird?

I hope Treanor catches him today.

Time for the Holland Hammer to put the nail in the D-Rays coffin!

Maybe this time the offense will score some more runs for him.

Maybe this time the offense will score some more runs for him.

 

One word:

 

Baker

 

 

Tired of seeing Olivo and Treanor choke with guys on base. Granted Miguel had a nice night yesterday, but I have no faith in him as a hitter anyway.

Baker is soooo cool - he has his own website :lol .

 

http://johnthebaker.net/

Looks like Olivo is starting today

Whoever is sitting in their seats right now are crazy.

Today's Rally Image:

 

 

A flashback from 1998, the first season that the Citrus Series was played.

The guys at the bottom....lol

Rich and Tommy really look like a couple of dweebs in those matching shirts.

 

GO Fish - let's win this series today!

Okay Vandy - do your thing :kiss .

 

Hahahaa... Vandy is nasty.

Hurk: Hey I struck you out! Oh well I'll just do it again...bye bye Crawford.

lookin filthy today!! Cmon bats

RVH looked nasty that first inning. This is really the first time I've watched him pitch this year, does he always work this fast?

I'm neverous about Sonnanstine. His ERA doesn't say how well he pitched his first time out, he just had one bad inning (the 4th, and he went 7).

Great first half of the inning.. lets go fish

I have to add my obligatory Vanden Hurk is awesome.

RVH does look to be working at a much faster pace, and looks like he is confident out there. Im liking what I see

nice,...struck the guy out, doesnt get the call...and gives up an opposite field 3 run shot on the next pitch

Have the Marlins had a 2 out 3 run HR this year?

 

I can't remember one.

well that inning sucked

 

let's see RVH's follow-up inning.

Dang it!

Is Hermida the worst defensive RF'r in the majors?