Florida @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2010 ) Florida 6, Pittsburgh 0
Josh Johnson hasn't posted a win in over one month and has seen his miniscule ERA climb nearly a half a run in the process.
As one would expect, Johnson is not thrilled with the turn of events. The 26-year-old All-Star right-hander will look to right the ship for the Florida Marlins (58-60) in Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-79).
Johnson (10-5, 2.27 ERA) won 10 of his first 13 decisions this season and posted a Kate Moss-like thin 1.61 ERA.
With Cy Young Award talk running rampant, Johnson has cooled off and let others enter the conversation.
Since notching his last victory on July 17, the hurler has recorded two losses and three no-decisions. In his last outing on Friday, Johnson permitted six runs and a season-high 10 hits in a season-low 3 2/3 innings.
The Marlins dropped that game with a 7-2 decision to the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds. That loss started Florida's four-game losing streak, which came to an resounding end on Tuesday.
Ricky Nolasco had a pair of run-scoring base hits and tossed six scoreless innings as the Marlins cruised to a 6-0 triumph over the Pirates.
The offense proved to be enough for Nolasco (14-8), who recorded his ninth win in his last 11 starts. The 27-year-old California native allowed five hits and struck out nine in this one.
The victory tied the four-game series at one game apiece, while Pittsburgh suffered its 13th shutout loss of the season.
Rookie Gaby Sanchez recorded a two-run single, rookie Logan Morrison added an RBI double and Hanley Ramirez and Wes Helms scored twice as Florida snapped a five-game skid at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates will send Ross Ohlendorf (1-9, 3.95 ERA) to the hill on Wednesday in an attempt to keep the Marlins at bay.
The right-hander secured his lone win of the season on July 2 - tossing seven shutout innings and striking out eight in a 2-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Since then, Ohlendorf has recorded three losses and four no-decisions - including another one of the latter in his last outing. He tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings and permitted just four hits in the Pirates' 4-1 loss to the Houston Astros on Friday.
Pittsburgh's offense struggled in that contest - as it did on Tuesday. Rookies Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez recorded a pair of hits apiece, but the Pirates fell to 4-12 in the month of August.
Ohlendorf is used to receiving limited run support. The Pirates have averaged 2.24 runs with the 28-year-old hurler on the mound.