Game Thread: 07/28 Padres @ Marlins

Thanks to a 7-2 victory yesterday, our Padres have a chance to clinch the series in Miami today.

The Marlins will trot out their brand new starter Nathan Eovaldi, whom they got in the Hanley Ramirez / Randy Choate trade, to try to even up the series today. Eovaldi went 1-6 in ten starts this season with the Dodgers, but hopes to begin his career in Miami on a good note. In his last start he went 4 1/3 innings on the mound, giving up one run on seven hits. He also struck out seven Mets batters to tie a career high, but came out with a no-decision. The Marlins will look to him to end their losing streak at three and lead them to just their second victory in ten games.

Ross Ohlendorf, who has been playing much better recently after a rough start to his Padres career, will take the mound opposite Eovaldi. He is 2-0 in his last four appearances (two starts). His most recent outing was a 6 2/3-inning effort where he gave up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six. He'll look to our offense for another strong showing like last night. Cameron Maybin will try to once again show off against his former team and Alexi Amarista will lead off, returning to the lineup after missing three games with a hurt left thumb.

7/28 lineup vs. @Marlins #Padres are 19-12 in last 31 games since 6/22, 4th best record in NL over that span twitter.com/Padres/status/…

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2012

Our Padres have put together a very strong month. They've clinched their first above-.500 month of the season while pulling themselves out of the NL West cellar and winning four of their six series so far in July. A win today will bring us to a 15-8 record for the month and keep up trucking along on that road to October.

GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!