Pirates Video

Burres' terrific start

Burres' two-run triple

Marlins Video

Sanchez's solid start

Sanchez's strong start

For Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez, that means one more chance to pitch in his first season that wasn't interrupted by injury. He'll face a blossoming Pirates offense and right-hander Brian Burres.

Sanchez is over the 30-start plateau for the first time in his career. In his most recent appearance, he threw 6 2/3 innings against the Braves, allowing three runs on seven hits. But after the game, Sanchez and his manager lamented a poor pitch to Eric Hinske, who hadn't had any success against Sanchez.

"Anibal Sanchez, he did a great job. He was facing Hinske. He was 0-for-10 against Anibal," Marlins skipper Edwin Rodriguez said. "He was trying to sneak a fastball inside and it came back over the plate. But I think he pitched a great game."

The Pirates' young offense is looking forward to one more chance to show that it's coming together. Manager John Russell lauded his team's progress.

"It hasn't happened since I've been here that we've had four guys with 60-plus RBIs," Russell said. "We haven't had that. We're starting to get a group of guys who can drive in runs for us. It's exciting to see. I think our offense is starting to get some kind of identity that we're able to score some runs. We've shown that over the last month and a half that if we pitch well, we have a pretty good chance to win."

The Bucs are looking for something strong from Burres, who is making start No. 13. He threw 5 2/3 in his last appearance, allowing two runs on four hits against the Cardinals. Russell was pleased that Burres bounced back after giving up a run in both the second and third innings.

"When he keeps the ball down, he can be tough," Russell said. "He got through some jams. We made some plays behind him on a couple really hard hit balls. He hung in there."

Pirates: Park interested in return
Right-hander Chan Ho Park has been very solid since he joined the Pirates two months ago, and he's posted a 1.93 ERA in 21 appearances, including a three-inning stint on Friday that gave Park his 124th career win, the Major League record for an Asian-born pitcher.

Park is a free agent after the season, and he expressed an interest in returning to the Bucs.

"It's a good team with a good future," Park said. "If I play for this team next year, a .500 or winning record is going to be a big goal for this team. I want to be a part of that and have that. We have so much talent here."

Pirates general manager Neil Huntington complimented Park's leadership skills, an important trait for a veteran in what was otherwise a young bullpen.

"He seems like a quality guy and a guy that the players rally around," Huntington said. "They genuinely like him. He was candid in that he didn't know what he was getting into when he came to the Pirates, but to his credit, he's come in here and he's wanted to be an asset. He's wanted to help us and he really has."

Marlins: Rodriguez in mix
The Marlins have not decided who will manage the club in 2011, but Rodriguez has been told that he'll be given consideration. Rodriguez said that he met with team brass, and he was told that while other candidates will be considered, he will have a chance at the post.

"They're going to go through the process, and they're going to interview people," Rodriguez said. "They said I'm in the mix. I'm a strong candidate. They will let me know."

The first Puerto Rican manager in Major League history, Rodriguez took over a 34-36 club at midseason and led it to a 45-46 record entering Sunday. He said that he is interested in remaining with the club and would be disappointed if the Marlins decided to move in another direction.

"I know for a fact that this group of young talent coming up is going to be interesting, not only for next year, but for the whole decade," Rodriguez said. "Hopefully, as soon as 2011, this team is going to be in the pennant race."

Worth noting
The Marlins scratched rookie right-hander Alex Sanabia on Saturday because of right elbow stiffness. Jorge Sosa made a spot start in his place, throwing four scoreless innings.