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Sanchez continues comeback against Braves

Tue 2nd, September 2008

(Sports Network) - The comeback continues for Florida right-hander Anibal Sanchez tonight when he and the Marlins host the Atlanta Braves in the middle test of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium.

The 24-year-old, who arrived in the majors and made 18 appearances - winning 10 games - in 2006, was shelved by injury after just six starts last season and didn't make his 2008 debut until July 31 against Colorado.

He's 2-3 with a 4.46 earned run average over 34 1/3 innings thus far, including a five-inning performance against Atlanta in his most recent start on Aug. 28, in which he allowed five hits and four runs in a 4-2 loss.

Lifetime against the Braves, Sanchez is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA over 20 innings, allowing seven earned runs and striking out nine batters.

For Atlanta, 24-year-old right-hander Charlie Morton tries to make it two straight wins since snapping his latest three-start skid.

A third-round draft choice in 2002, Morton evened his rookie-season record to 2-2 with a 4-1 win at San Diego on July 12, but has since gone 2-6, twice dropping three consecutive starts.

Tailspin No. 1 began with a 4-0 loss to the Marlins on July 22, in which he gave up two hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

He eventually defeated Arizona to snap that drought, then lost three more before rebounding to beat Sanchez and the Marlins on Aug. 28 after allowing four hits and two runs in six innings.

Overall, Morton has given up 75 hits and 47 earned runs in 69 1/3 innings of work.

On Monday, John Baker hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the ninth to give the Marlins a 4-3 victory.

Jorge Cantu jacked a two-run home run while Luis Gonzalez doubled in the Marlins' other run. Matt Lindstrom (3-2) got the win after pitching the top of the ninth for Florida, which has won two of three.

Josh Johnson pitched well in a six-inning start, giving up three runs on nine hits without walking a batter while fanning eight.

Josh Anderson had three hits and an RBI while Brandon Jones went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and an RBI for Atlanta, which was coming off a three- game sweep at the hands of the Nationals.

Starter Mike Hampton was able to match Johnson over six frames, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts but was also saddled with the no-decision.

Mike Gonzalez (0-1) entered in the ninth for Atlanta and issued a leadoff walk to Dan Uggla, who moved to second on a sacrifice from Josh Willingham.

Gonzalez then intentionally walked Cody Ross before unintentionally walking Wes Helms to load the bases, setting up Baker's game-winning sac fly to left.

Atlanta is 9-7 against Florida this season.

Where the players come to play and STAY.