Diamondbacks vs. Marlins
The fast start of the Arizona Diamondbacks is history and the slow start by the Miami Marlins is continuing. The two squads open a four-game series in Miami on the heels of disappointing stretches. Arizona has lost seven of nine games after jumping out to a 7-3 start. Miami has lost five consecutive games after suffering a three-game sweep to the New York Mets. The Marlins have scored six runs during their five-game skid.
Miami’s fifth straight loss was painful as closer Heath Bell suffered a ninth-inning meltdown in which he issued four walks, including one that pushed across the decisive run. Bell is 0-3 with three blown saves and a 9.53 ERA during a rocky start after joining the club as a free agent. Shortstop Jose Reyes went 1-for-12 in the three games in his former home ballpark. Arizona is beginning a 10-game road trip that includes series with the Washington Nationals and New York Mets.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (1-1, 1.29 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Carlos Zambrano (0-1, 2.84 ERA)
Saunders has pitched seven innings in all three of his outings and has given up just three earned runs. He has allowed just 21 baserunners (16 hits, five walks) in 21 innings. Saunders lost to Atlanta in his last outing despite allowing only two earned runs. He is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against the Marlins.
Zambrano has allowed a total of two runs and six hits in 13 innings over his last two outings and doesn’t have a win to show for it. He lost to the Washington Nationals in last start despite giving up just one run and two hits in seven innings. Zambrano has given up only 10 hits in 19 innings. He is 3-2 with a 4.26 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Arizona went 5-2 against the Marlins last season.
2. Miami second baseman Omar Infante is 5-for-11 against Zambrano.
3. The Diamondbacks allowed 20 runs while losing two of three to Philadelphia earlier this week.