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LAD@MIA: Nolasco goes five strong to get the win

The Marlins' previously stagnant offense -- which had been shut out in its previous three games -- erupted for nine runs in a victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Now the Marlins travel to Coors Field, where they hope their big offensive day and the mile-high air can help produce another few days of offense.

The Marlins go back on the road following a six-game homestand in Miami, which was sandwiched between two 11-day road trips. They haven't had success over the years in Denver, going just 30-49 against the Rockies at Coors Field, as opposed to 51-30 against them at home.

On Thursday, the Marlins send right-hander Ricky Nolasco to the Coors Field mound against a team he's been quite good against -- except for one start. Nolasco got shelled the last time he faced the Rockies, almost one year ago, giving up 11 runs in three innings on Aug. 17, 2011.

Take that start away, however, and the righty is 6-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his other seven games (six starts) against the Rox. As a whole, Colorado batters are hitting only .217 against him.

One of the Rockies Nolasco hasn't faced is outfielder Eric Young Jr., who has had quite a month for the Rox -- who are coming off a series sweep of Milwaukee. Young is hitting .451 in August while recording a career-high three hits five times in his last 13 games.

Because of Michael Cuddyer's right oblique strain and Todd Helton's season-ending right hip surgery, Young is getting a chance to play -- and taking advantage.

"Give credit to the player," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said earlier this week. "He sees the opportunity. He's gravitated toward it. I've talked an awful lot about the improvement I've seen defensively.

"He's having a terrific year. There's no getting around it. He does everything he can to send very strong messages. You can't ignore it."

Marlins: Ruggiano out
Justin Ruggiano was lifted in the third inning Wednesday because of a right oblique intercostal strain. The outfielder felt something grab when he struck out against Philadelphia's Roy Halladay in the third inning, and Ruggiano was replaced in the top of the fourth by Gorkys Hernandez.

"It's probably a combination of stiff back and, I don't know, changing my swing a little bit," Ruggiano said. "I felt it a couple of days ago. It's just something I've been trying to get through.

"I honestly think I will need a day or two, hopefully. I'm getting an opportunity and I want to play. I also don't want to be out there and hinder the team. I want to make sure when I'm out there I'm able to swing 100 percent."

• Nolasco snapped a career-long five-game losing streak with a win in his last outing, allowing two runs in five innings against the Dodgers.

Rockies: White on the mound
Young right-hander Alex White gets the start for the Rockies on Thursday, making his second career start against the Marlins. White won his other start against them, allowing four runs on eight hits in six innings on May 23. He has a 2.33 ground ball/fly ball ratio in 13 starts, third best among National League pitchers with at least 60 innings.

Worth noting
• Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes is batting .349 in the second half, with at least one hit in 31 of the 32 games following the All-Star break.

• Miami's Carlos Lee is hitting .457 with runners in scoring position since joining the Marlins on July 5. He's 4-for-8 with one home run, two doubles and five RBIs in his career against White.

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