SAN FRANCISCO - The Florida Marlins welcome Josh
Beckett back from the disabled list Saturday when they continue
a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
The 2003 World Series MVP, Beckett (8-6, 3.35 ERA) has not
pitched since straining his left oblique in the third inning
against Milwaukee on July 5, when he allowed three runs and six
hits in two-plus innings. Six days earlier, Beckett was
activated from the DL after missing two weeks with a blister on
his right hand.
Beckett, whose career high for wins is nine, has not only been
struggling with his health of late. He is 1-3 with a 6.30 ERA
over his last four starts.
The Marlins hope Beckett will provide some relief for a staff
that has yielded at least seven runs in nine of the last 11
games, including Friday's 8-5 setback in the series opener.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the first inning as
Florida opened an early 3-0 lead, but All-Star Dontrelle Willis
was hammered for seven runs in three innings, continuing his
second-half slide.
Pedro Feliz homered for the third straight game and Edgardo
Alfonzo drove in a pair of runs for San Francisco, which
recorded its 24th come-from-behind victory.
Brad Hennessey (3-2, 4.54) will try to record his third straight
solid start for the Giants since being recalled from Class AAA
Fresno. After giving up just three hits in seven innings July
9, Hennessey yielded one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings
Sunday but did not factor in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles
Dodgers.