Marlins at Brewers
The Miami Marlins were starting to show signs of improvement offensively, but the bats have gone cold as they have gone 24 innings without a run. The Marlins look to snap out of it and salvage the finale of the three-game series at the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Miami, which is last in the major leagues in runs scored (306), had not been shut out since May 22 before being blanked by the Brewers each of the last two contests.
Jonathan Lucroy has punished Miami pitching in 2013 with 10 hits in 18 at-bats and nine RBIs in five games after a 4-for-4 effort Saturday. Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun is back hitting in front of Lucroy in the order after a stint on the disabled list with a thumb injury, and delivered a two-run double in Saturday's 6-0 win. The Brewers were the last team in the majors to post a shutout (June 15) but have recorded seven since.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 4.58 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Wily Peralta (7-9, 4.61)
Alvarez looks for his first victory in a Miami uniform after allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 17 2/3 innings in his first three starts. It will be the right-hander’s second outing against the Brewers as he yielded six runs in four innings last June while with the Toronto Blue Jays . Rickie Weeks is 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs lifetime versus Alvarez.
Peralta has turned things around over his last five starts, going 3-1, and has been exceptional in three straight outings. The 24-year-old gave up only one run in 21 1/3 frames in victories over Arizona and Cincinnati and a no-decision versus Washington. Peralta has yielded three runs over six innings in both career starts against Miami, getting a win last year and escaping without a decision on June 11 as Milwaukee lost 5-4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee is one of four unbeaten teams (35-0) in the majors when leading after the eight innings.
2. Marlins 3B Placido Polanco has recorded seven hits in his last 17 at-bats.
3. Brewers RHP Francisco Rodriguez has 304 career saves, needing one to pass Jeff Montgomery for 21st on the all-time list.