Marlins vs. Braves
Jose Reyes has been hitting for three weeks, and finally his Miami Marlins teammates showed some offensive life Wednesday. Reyes has a 19-game hitting streak, one off his career high, and the Marlins hope to carry over the momentum from a 4-2 victory at Atlanta. The Marlins have lost 10 of 14 games and have scored three runs or less in 11 of those contests. The Braves’ seven-game winning streak ended, but Atlanta still is one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won 17 of its past 23 games.
The Braves look for Mike Minor to carry his strong July into August when the left-hander takes the mound for the series finale. Minor won twice in July, lowering his ERA from 6.90 to 5.18. The Marlins hope Nathan Eovaldi’s second start with Miami is as good as his first. Traded to Miami as part of the Hanley Ramirez deal, Eovaldi beat San Diego in his Marlins’ debut.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network (nationwide), Fox Sports Florida (Miami), SportSouth (Atlanta).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Miami RH Nathan Eovaldi (2-6, 3.94 ERA) vs. Atlanta LH Mike Minor (6-7, 5.18).
Eovaldi struck out five and allowed just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings to defeat the San Diego Padres on Saturday. While still a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he beat Arizona on July 5 for his other victory this season. The 22-year-old has struck out 12 and allowed just two earned runs in his past two starts (9 2/3 innings).
Minor put together an impressive July, going 2-1 with a sparkling 1.98 ERA in four starts. The left-hander struck out 26 hitters while walking just four. Minor beat the Phillies on Saturday, allowing just one earned run on four hits with no walks and a season-high nine strikeouts in eight innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Eovaldi began the season ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers’ organization by MLB.com.
2. Miami OF Giancarlo Stanton, out since July 7 with a right knee injury, could begin a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter as soon as Thursday. Stanton, who has 19 homers and 50 RBIs, may return to the majors next week barring any problems.
3. Atlanta P Jair Jurrjens, who pitched an inning of mop-up relief Tuesday, was placed on the disabled list with a strained right groin.