Bailey back on GABP mound for first time since 2014
CINCINNATI -- The Miami Marlins are hanging around the National League wild-card race despite a rash of injuries.
On Wednesday, Don Mattingly's club will proceed with life after Giancarlo Stanton and five others who currently are on the disabled list when they play the third of four games against the Cincinnati Reds.
"Teams are getting banged up. It's that time of year," Mattingly said. "We want to go out and play our best baseball whatever we have. We've been fairly healthy. Just had to saddle our share lately."
Marlins right-hander Andrew Cashner will start Wednesday's game, looking to fare better against the Reds. On June 6, 2015, Cashner, then a member of the Padres, gave up seven earned runs and walked five over 5 2/3 innings.
Cincinnati's starter on Wednesday will be right-hander Homer Bailey, who is making his fourth start since coming off the disabled list.
It will be Bailey's first appearance on the mound at Great American Ball Park since Aug. 7, 2014 against the Cleveland Indians.
It's been a long road back for Bailey, who owns two career no-hitters but missed the better part of two seasons due to injuries.
Bailey has pitched well in two of his three outings since rejoining the club. He'll enter Wednesday's game on a six-inning scoreless streak. Aside from a rough three-inning stint against the Pirates, he's allowed two earned runs and seven hits in 11 2/3 innings.
Bailey who signed a six-year, $105 million contract in February 2014, has since undergone right forearm surgery and Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
He's fared well in seven career starts against the Marlins, going 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA and one complete game.
Cincinnati is hoping to have a few of its key components back on Wednesday.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips missed the past two games with a bruised knee.
Center fielder and leadoff batter Billy Hamilton did not start Tuesday after twice running into the wall in pursuit of fly balls during Monday's game.
"The wall is undefeated," quipped Hamilton. "It's my whole right side. It's nothing bad. It's just the impact of hitting the wall. It's my knee more than anything. I'll get some treatment. The next couple of days could be better."
Left fielder Adam Duvall also was out Tuesday after fouling a ball off his foot.
Despite the injuries, Cincinnati evened the series with a 6-3 victory behind a five-run first inning highlighted by catcher Tucker Barnhart's grand slam and six strong innings from Anthony DeSclafani, who rolled his ankle in the fourth inning but remained in the game.
Ichiro Suzuki enters Wednesday's game needing three hits to tie Al Kaline for 28th place on baseball's all-time list. On Tuesday night, Ichiro achieved another career milestone with a leadoff triple in the ninth inning for his first-ever hit in Cincinnati, making Great American Ball Park the 30th and final current major league park in which he's recorded a hit.
