=== Florida Marlins Team Report - May 27 === (My Sportsbook) - Although they have won four straight games, the second longest streak in the National League heading into action on Tuesday, the Florida Marlins still find themselves in a last place tie with the New York Mets in the NL East. On Monday the club allowed the Montreal Expos to get on top of them in the first inning, but in scoring five unanswered from there on out, the Marlins had a 5-1 victory to their credit. Brian Banks and Juan Encarnacion each hit a two-run homer and Carl Pavano threw his second career complete game in gaining the win. Pavano, who won for just the second time in his past seven starts, gave up five hits, while striking out five and walking none in a game that took just over two hours. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez (bruised foot) and left fielder Todd Hollandsworth (hamstring) did not play and were listed as being day-to-day for Tuesday's action. Heading to the hill for the Marlins tonight will be Michael Tejera. The Cuban native began the season coming out of the bullpen and didn't earn his first decision until May 10 when he gave up four runs over three innings to the Colorado Rockies in a loss. More recently the lefthander lasted four innings against the Expos last week in Montreal, allowing seven runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out four, in what resulted in an 8-2 setback. Tejera is still waiting for his first win of the year and has a career mark of 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA against the Expos. Florida hitters are fifth in the NL with a combined average of .268 and are by far the most aggressive on the base paths with a total of 70 stolen bases, more than twice as many as the next successful team (Pittsburgh, 34). |
