Pirates at Marlins
The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates got a solid pitching performance in snapping an eight-game losing streak against the Miami Marlins, and will go for a sweep of the two-game series Tuesday night. The Pirates, baseball's lowest-scoring team, continue to struggle offensively and have put up only 15 runs in the last nine meetings with Miami. Despite plating only 100 runs on the season, Pittsburgh (17-18) can reach the .500 mark for the first time since the fourth game of the year.
The Marlins again failed to take advantage of a quality start by Anibal Sanchez, who went seven innings for the fifth consecutive outing. Miami has score a total of 12 runs in that span. Hanley Ramirez had a pair of hits, including his seventh homer. He didn't reach seven homers until July 2 last year. Emilio Bonifacio, who is 8-for-21 in his last five games, added to his major league-leading total with his 18th stolen base. He has yet to be caught, extending his club record.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Kevin Correia (1-3, 3.47 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Josh Johnson (0-3, 5.87 ERA)
Correia has lost three straight starts and, in what has become the norm in Pittsburgh, has received minimal offensive support. The Pirates have scored six runs during his three-game skid and 16 runs overall in his six starts. Correia has been stung by the long ball, giving up a pair of homers in each of his last two starts. He is 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA in three starts against Miami.
Johnson is coming off one of his best outings of the season but is still searching for his first victory since throwing seven scoreless innings and allowing only two hits against the Pirates on April 19, 2011. He limited Houston to two runs on four hits in seven innings last time out. He has dominated Pittsburgh in three career starts, going 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Marlins have 27 quality starts, tying them with Philadelphia for the best in baseball.
2. Pedro Alverez's game-winning RBI Monday lift Pittsburgh's record to 9-3 when he drives in at least one run.
3. Marlins SS Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to five games.