Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (12-15) at Florida Marlins (15-13)

GAME PREVIEW

Atlanta Braves (12-15) at Florida Marlins (15-13)

Pitching matchup: Jair Jurrjens (2-2, 1.89 ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (1-3, 5.46 ERA)

Time: 12:10 p.m. EDT

Location: Dolphin Stadium, Atlanta

TV: SportSouth Radio: 640 WGST

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 84 degrees

Twitter: Tomahawk Take

So that’s what an offense looks like?

I don’t know about you, but it was quite refreshing to see the Braves (12-15) bats come alive last night — even if it was only for three short innings.

Atlanta scored eight times in those first three frames, but failed to pick a hit the rest of the way. Hopefully, for the sake of the team and the sake of my sanity the offense won’t revert back into hibernation mode during this afternoon’s series finale against the Marlins (15-13).

Taking the mound for Atlanta will be Jair Jurrjens (2-2, 1.89 ERA), who is looking to return to the win column for the first time since mid-April. That’s not to say the young right-hander has pitched poorly. In fact, it’s quite the contrary.

Jurrjens has been held winless in his last four starts despite allowing a total of four earned runs collectively. His last outing against the Houston Astros was cut short due to rain.

Against Florida, Jurrjens has made three career starts with an ugly ERA of 7.80.

Making the start for the Marlins will be Anibal Sanchez (1-3, 5.46 ERA), who will be relieved to face this Atlanta lineup. In his first start against the Braves this season (April 16), Sanchez tossed six solid innings, allowing just two runs in a win. That was the last time he notched a victory.

The right-hander has lost his last three decisions and has given up a combined 12 runs in his previous two outings. The first inning has been a nightmare for Sanchez, who has surrendered nine runs — including three home runs — in his past two first frames worked.