Marlins And Rays Continue Citrus Series As Scene Shifts To Tampa
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Marlins are doing a good job rebounding off of their three game sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves last weekend. The Marlins are spending this week playing in their annual Citrus Series against the Tampa Bay Rays and so far things have gone well for Miami.
The Marlins hosted the Rays in the first two games of the series and while Miami has been known for their run-scoring at Marlins Park, this week the story has been all about their pitching.
On Monday night Randy Wolf made his second start as a Marlins pitcher and expectations were certainly tempered after his rough first start against Milwaukee last week. Wolf had Tommy John surgery following the 2012 season and hadn't won a start since July 17 of that year heading into Monday night's game.
Wolf cast all that aside, throwing a six-inning gem for the Marlins while giving up just one run and striking out seven en route to a 3-1 Miami win. Wolf, 37, became the oldest Marlins starter to win a game since a 39-year-old Al Leiter won for the then Florida Marlins in June 2005.
Following the great performance by Wolf on Monday, it was up to Henderson Alvarez to keep the good times rolling for Miami on Tuesday. There were some concerns surrounding Alvarez after he was pulled from his last start with right elbow stiffness following five shutout innings in which he allowed just five hits.
Alvarez put all those concerns to rest by pitching his Major League-leading third shutout of the season, throwing just 88 pitches and giving up eight hits while striking out five. All three of his wins in 2014 have been complete game shutouts which explains why his ERA is an impressive 2.62.
The Citrus Series now shifts to Tampa where the Rays will host the Marlins for another brief two-game set. Coming off of the two losses in Miami, Tampa has now dropped eight games in a row and is holding the worst record in the American League.
While Miami took care of business at home, where they hold a Major League-best 22-11 record, it's been a struggle when away from Marlins Park. They are the only team in the National League yet to reach double-digit wins on the road (8-17) but there are signs that the Marlins are turning things around.
Miami has won five of its last seven road games and has a great opportunity to continue that trend against a struggling Rays ballclub.
The Marlins will hand the ball to Tom Koehler (4-5, 3.18 ERA) who has pitched much better at Marlins Park than anywhere else this season. In five road starts Koehler holds a 1-3 record and a 3.86 ERA while at home it's a different story for the righty, going 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA.
Tampa will counter with David Price who has gone 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins. The last time Price faced Miami was back in 2011 where he lasted 6 2/3 innings, giving up five runs in a losing effort.
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