Saturday was not a good day for the Miami Marlins (41-43). Just when it looked like Ozzie Guillen's club had turned the corner after a putrid June, the team lost to the Cardinals 3-2, but more importantly, lost star slugger Giancarlo Stanton for at least a month. Stanton returned to the lineup Saturday after missing four games, but lasted only two innings after the right knee acted up again. He will need arthroscopic surgery and will be out at least a month.
Miami will send Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 4.19 ERA) to the hill on Sunday, looking for a win over St. Louis and some positive vibes heading into the All-Star break. Sanchez has struggled over his last six starts, going 1-3 with a 7.34 ERA, having allowed six or more runs three times in that stretch.
Rookie right-hander Joe Kelly (1-1, 3.29 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis. Kelly, called up to replace Jaime Garcia in the Cardinals rotation, has not allowed more than three runs in any of his five starts, pitching at least six innings in three of those five outings.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EST from new Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
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