Jul/061
Game 2,3 of 4: Marlins @ Mets Preview, 1:20 PM EST
Johnson, Nolasco pair up in twinbill
Florida (37-46) at New York (51-35), 1:20 p.m. ET
The Game Details…
Next Game: Sat., July 8 @ 1:20 p.m. ET
TV: FOX | Radio: WQAM 560, WQBA 1140 (Sp.)
Internet Audio: 
Gameday Audio
Gametracker: Gameday
Up Next:
• Monday: All-Star Break
• Tuesday: All-Star Game
The Game Notes…
Doubling-up has a new meaning for the Marlins these days. For the second time in 14 days, the Marlins will be playing a twinbill in New York. Only this time, the venue is different. Making up an April 8 rainout at Shea Stadium, the Marlins will play the Mets twice on Saturday. Game 1 gets rolling at 1:20 p.m. ET, with the second game following about 30 minutes after the first concludes. The Marlins head into the twinbill riding the high of an impressive 7-3 win over the Mets on Friday night. Two weeks ago, the Marlins split a doubleheader with the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. In a hectic stretch, the Marlins will play a third doubleheader (also making up an earlier rainout) on July 30 at Philadelphia. In the first game, Josh Johnson goes for his eighth win. The 6-foot-7 right-hander also looks to improve his road record, where he is 2-3 with a 3.07 ERA. After seven relief appearances early in the season, Johnson is making his 12th start. He is 6-2 with a 2.09 ERA since joining the rotation. Ricky Nolasco, who tosses the second game, hopes to bounce back after a rough outing at Washington. In that start, the right-hander gave up eight runs (seven earned) in four innings. Making his 10th start since moving into the rotation after beginning the season in the bullpen, Nolasco is 4-4 with a 3.91 ERA. The Mets are starting John Maine (0-2, 5.40) in the first game, and touted prospect Mike Pelfrey makes his Major League debut in the second game. Pelfrey was a first-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. In a unique twinbill, all four of the scheduled starters are rookies. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time four rookie starters squared off in a doubleheader was when Toronto faced Milwaukee on Aug. 7, 1977. That day, Jerry Garvin and Jim Clancy started for the Blue Jays and Lary Sorenson and Moose Haas took the mound for the Brewers. The Brewers swept the doubleheader, and all four starters were involved in the decisions.
The Pitchers…
Game 1
FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (7-4, 2.34)
Johnson did not earn a decision in his last start against Boston despite logging a quality start. The right-hander went seven innings and gave up three runs, including solo home runs to Jason Varitek, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis. Johnson won his only start against the Mets, allowing only one run on two hits in seven innings.
NYM: RHP John Maine (0-2, 5.40)
In his second start for the Mets, on Monday against the Pirates, Maine demonstrated the talent the Mets saw when they traded for him in January. He struck out seven of his first 16 batters, allowing one hit and one walk. But he was gone soon thereafter, having allowed two singles and two walks — one with the bases loaded — to the subsequent four batters in the fifth. A strong, extended start against the Marlins would help him retain the rotation spot abdicated by Alay Soler.
Game 2
FLA: RHP Ricky Nolasco (6-5, 3.97)
Nolasco had a rough go of it last time out against Washington, surrendering seven earned runs in four innings. Nolasco gave up a pair of home runs to Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano, including a homer to lead off the bottom of the first. Nolasco had been on a streak of lasting until the sixth inning in each of his previous five outings.
NYM: RHP Mike Pelfrey (Major League debut)
The 17th professional start the 22-year-old pitcher will make will be his big-league debut. Selected in the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft — he was the ninth player chosen — Pelfrey has produced a 6-3 record and 2.45 ERA in his Minor League starts, four for the Class A St. Lucie Mets and 12 with the Double-A Binghamton Mets. He has pitched 88 1/3 innings, allowing 77 hits, three home runs and 28 walks while striking out 103 batters.
The Player to Watch…
NYM: RF Xavier Nady (AVG .268 | HR 11 | RBI 32 | OBP .326 | SLG .484)
Mets outfielder Xavier Nady had two doubles off Dontrelle Willis on Friday he drove in two runs.
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12:11 pm on July 8th, 2006
Game 2 will start at appoximatley 4:30-4:50 PM EST. The game will be broadcasted on FSN Florida with Rich Waltz and Tommy Hutton. Game 1 will be done on FOX with Kenny Albert and Tommy Hutton.
Enjoy the day of baseball!!