A series with the Milwaukee Brewers might be what the Miami Marlins need to get back on track at the plate.
After breaking out in the opener to snap their latest skid, the Marlins try for a fourth consecutive victory over the visiting Brewers on Tuesday night.
Miami (60-75) totaled eight runs during a four-game losing streak it snapped with a 7-3 win over Milwaukee on Monday. Though the Marlins rank near the bottom of the majors in runs (509), they have scored 35 times while winning three of five against the Brewers in 2012.
Still batting third in the order, Jose Reyes drove in three runs as the Marlins won for third time in 11 games. Though the former Miami leadoff hitter is 6 for 30 (.200) with six RBIs in his last eight games, Reyes has batted .306 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 36 games since manager Ozzie Guillen put him third.
"Wherever I hit doesn't change how I play the game," Reyes said. "I still want to do anything I can to help my team win."
Guillen is content on leaving him in the third spot for the rest of the season.
"I like him there," Guillen said. "He's a free swinger. He's not afraid to hit with people on base."
Reyes and the Marlins hope for another big offensive effort Tuesday when Milwaukee's Shaun Marcum (5-4, 3.35 ERA) faces Miami for the first time in his career. The Brewers (65-69) were unsuccessful in their recent attempt to trade Marcum, but will continue to give him work in the final month of the season.
In his second start since coming off the disabled list with elbow tightness, the right-hander allowed three runs and walked four in four innings while not factoring in the decision of a 12-11 loss at Chicago on Thursday. He left after 85 pitches due to cramping in his right calf that was not considered serious.
"All in all, (it) wasn't a good day," Marcum said.
The Marlins counter with Wade LeBlanc (2-3, 2.49), who will return to the rotation after coming out of the bullpen for his last three appearances. The left-hander is making his first start since he allowed three runs in seven innings of a 3-0 loss at Arizona on Aug. 22.
"He's been very professional," Guillen told the Marlins' official website of LeBlanc's willingness to pitch as both a starter and reliever. "One of the bright spots we've had this year has been LeBlanc."
He is 1-0 while throwing 1 2-3 scoreless innings of relief against the Brewers this season, and 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA all-time as a starter versus Milwaukee.
Ryan Braun, 3 for 4 with a double against LeBlanc, had two hits with an RBI in the opener as the Brewers fell for the third time in 11 games.
The reigning NL MVP is batting .429 (15 for 35) with three homers and 11 RBIs in his last eight games after he went 3 for 16 with two RBIs in his previous five contests.
