Braves at Marlins
The Atlanta Braves attempt to get back on track against the struggling Miami Marlins when the National League East rivals begin a three-game series at Marlins Park. Atlanta had won 10 of 12 before dropping two in a row, including a 9-2 setback at division-leading Washington on Sunday. The Braves are 3 1/2 games behind the Nationals but occupy the second wild-card spot in the NL.
Atlanta, which owns a major league-best 28-19 record away from home, has won 10 of its last 12 road games against the Marlins. Miami is returning home after a six-game trip during which it lost the final five contests. The Marlins, who have scored a total of seven runs during their losing streak, likely will be without Hanley Ramirez for a fourth straight game. The third baseman was kept out of the starting lineup for the entire three-game series in Pittsburgh with a swollen and infected right hand.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (5-6, 5.69 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Josh Johnson (5-7, 4.35)
Minor won two straight starts before settling for a no-decision against San Francisco on Wednesday despite allowing just one run and three hits over six innings. The 24-year-old was tagged for six runs over 4 2/3 frames in a home loss to the Marlins on May 16, before allowing one run over five innings in a victory at Miami on June 7. Minor is 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in five career starts against the Marlins.
Johnson has struggled of late, surrendering 14 runs in 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts. The 28-year-old ace is coming off a loss to the Cubs in Chicago on Wednesday in which he yielded four runs over 6 1/3 frames. Johnson fell to 5-4 lifetime against Atlanta on June 6 despite allowing only two runs in 7 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami SS Jose Reyes enters with a 10-game hitting streak.
2. The Braves are 0-11 on Mondays this season.
3. Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones is two extra-base hits shy of tying Pete Rose (1,041) for second place on the all-time list among switch hitters. Eddie Murray is the leader with 1,099.