Miami's offense came to life in a big way on Sunday, and the Marlins will look to keep it going on Monday when they begin a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
While both teams are in last place in their respective divisions, Miami closed out the weekend with back-to-back wins over the Philadelphia Phillies to split their four-game series.
After blanking the Phillies, 2-0, on Saturday, Miami's offense exploded for a 14-2 win in Sunday's series finale. Justin Ruggiano belted two home runs and Adeiny Hechavarria needed only two at-bats to tie a franchise record with seven RBI. The 14 runs marked the team's highest scoring output since a 16-10 triumph over Washington late in the 2010 season.
"To keep adding on, not only for the score, but for our guys, to stay hungry and to keep grinding out at-bats and keep putting the pressure on, that's what we needed," manager Mike Redmond said. "For guys to go up and be a little greedy and take advantage was good to see."
Meanwhile, San Diego is seeking its fourth win in five games after topping Arizona on Sunday, 5-1. Edinson Volquez allowed just one run in 6 2/3 innings to notch his third straight win. Back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning from Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable turned a one-run game into a four-run cushion.
For San Diego, right-hander Andrew Cashner is making his fourth start since moving from the bullpen into the rotation. Against the Cubs last week, Cashner lasted only four innings after giving up four runs on six hits. He also walked four.
"It's finding a secondary pitch he can throw any time, especially when he's having trouble commanding his fastball," catcher John Baker said of how Cashner can improve. "Once he does figure out what pitch that's going to be, it's developing the confidence to use it."
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc takes the hill for Miami and will face the team that drafted him in the second round in 2006. LeBlanc, who was traded to the Marlins after the 2011 season, will make his first start as a visitor in San Diego, where he played four seasons.
"I am very thankful for the shots that they gave me," LeBlanc said. "I was fortunate to come up with guys like Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavy was still there, and Chris Young. There were a lot of guys there with a lot of years in the big leagues -- Matt Stairs, David Eckstein. They were great guys who really taught you how to go about the game."
LeBlanc has allowed four runs or less in all but one of his six starts this season, yet he is still in search of his first win.
Miami won five of six head-to-head meetings last season, including all three at Petco Park.
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