Currently: - Game info: 1:05 pm EDT Sun May 22, 2005
- TV: FSFL
Known for their starting pitching, the Florida Marlins have received an unexpected boost from journeyman Brian Moehler.
Moehler hopes to turn in another solid outing for the Marlins as they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Florida’s starters have a major league-leading 3.00 ERA, led by the work of Dontrelle Willis, Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett. Moehler has fit in well as the team’s fifth starter, going 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts this season.
The veteran right-hander, who is on his third team in four years, allowed two runs and a season-high nine hits over 6 2-3 innings in Monday’s 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was Moehler’s first win since April 19.
“He’s just a consummate professional,” Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley said of Moehler. “He commands the ball. He competes on every pitch he throws. Great focus and concentration. He’s just very well prepared. He just does a terrific job. He just does all the little things.”
Moehler is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in six career starts against the Devil Rays.
Florida rallied for its third straight win, 4-3 on Saturday. Pinch-hitter Joe Dillon snapped a tie in the eighth inning with his first major league homer off Jesus Colome.
The Devil Rays are one loss away from matching their interleague total from last season, when they went 15-3 for the best mark in baseball. Tampa Bay was held scoreless over the final seven innings, managing only four hits in that span.
Toby Hall went 3-for-3 with his fourth homer of the season—all in the last 15 games—for Tampa Bay. Hall is hitting .372 (32-for-86) over his last 24 games.
“I’m maturing, getting more comfortable,” Hall said. ”(I) try to figure some pitchers out, they have us figured out. I think it’s just getting more comfortable in the league, relaxing and playing up to your capabilities.”
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