Marlins at Astros
The Miami Marlins continue their impressive road trip against another hot team when they take on the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game series. Miami enters with a 6-0 record on its nine-game trek as it followed a sweep in San Francisco with another in San Diego. It is the second time in franchise history the Marlins have swept consecutive three-game road sets.
Houston began its nine-game homestand with a season-high five consecutive victories before falling to St. Louis on Sunday. The Astros have won six of seven at Minute Maid Park following a four-game skid.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Miami, Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Carlos Zambrano (0-2, 2.53 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (3-2, 1.64 ERA)
Zambrano still is searching for his first win despite allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. The veteran left Wednesday's game at San Francisco with a no-decision despite scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings. Zambrano has pitched well against Houston over his career, going 16-8 with a 2.69 ERA in 35 games - 33 starts.
Rodriguez enters with a personal three-game winning streak during which he has allowed three runs over 20 innings. In his most recent outing, he yielded one run and six hits in seven frames against the Mets. Rodriguez, who has yet to surrender more than three earned runs in a game this year, is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 career games against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Ricky Nolasco's victory Sunday was his 68th, tying Dontrelle Willis for first place on the Marlins' all-time list.
2. Miami's Emilio Bonifacio, who has yet to be caught on 14 stolen-base attempts, has collected 27 hits this year - all singles.
3. Houston's Jordan Schafer went 0-for-4 on Sunday, ending his streak of reaching base safely at 25 games. The run tied the club mark for most games reaching safely to start a season set in 1969 by Dennis Menke.