MLB Insiders - Florida Marlins

The reeling Pirates return to PNC Park and open a two series with the Florida Marlins. Veteran Matt Morris will on the hill for the Bucs. The Marlins will toss lefty Mark Hendrickson.

The Marlins look to continue their surprising start with their third straight win when they open a two-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at PNC Park.

Mike Jacobs had two homers against the Pirates earlier this season, and is 5-for-9 with a homer and two doubles lifetime against Monday's scheduled starter Matt Morris (0-2, 7.02 ERA).

Morris, who has yielded 17 runs - 13 earned - and 26 hits in 16 2-3 innings over three starts this season, was tagged for six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings of a 11-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

In his first start of the season on April 4, Morris gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings before leaving without a decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 loss to Florida. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.48 ERA in his last four outings against the Marlins.

Florida counters with left-hander Mark Hendrickson (3-1, 3.97), who looks to win four straight starts for the first time in his career.

After allowing six runs in five innings of a 7-2 loss to the New York Mets in his opening day start on March 31, Hendrickson has posted a 2.04 ERA in winning his last three outings.

On Wednesday, Hendrickson allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-5 win over Atlanta to win three consecutive starts for the fourth time in his seven-year career.

Hendrickson got the first victory of his current streak against the Pirates on April 5, yielding three runs - one earned - and five hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-3 win. He is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three career starts versus Pittsburgh.

Not only is Scott Olsen emerging as the staff ace, he's also becoming the savior of the bullpen.

Olsen won his third straight start Sunday, allowing a run in seven innings. He has gone at least seven innings in each of his last three starts, providing much-needed relief to Florida's bullpen.

"Everyone wants to finish what they started, but as long as we win the game I really don't care," said Olsen, who has the fourth-most starts among active pitchers (71) without throwing a complete game.

Marlins starters entered Sunday last in baseball with only 84 innings pitched through 17 games, and the bullpen had pitched the second-most innings (68).

But thanks to Olsen, the bullpen only had to worry about the final two innings Sunday.

MARLINS 6, NATIONALS 1: The Marlins were led by their best hitter and best pitcher. Hanley Ramirez led the way with a two-homer game and three RBIs. Scott Olsen was dominant again, allowing one run in seven innings and lowering his ERA to 2.60. More important, the Marlins played a clean game -- no errors after making four on Saturday.

--The Marlins are off to an 11-7 start after winning a series over the Nationals on Sunday behind Scott Olsen's third win of the year.

"Getting off to a good start is something the past two years we haven't done," said Olsen. "Last year and 2006, it caught up to us in September. These games are important right now. They go down in the standings, too. To take two in the series is a lot of fun."

--SS Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs Sunday for his fifth career multi-homer game and first since Sept. 11, 2007, against Washington.

--RHP Burke Badenhop has allowed seven earned runs in eight innings combined over his last two starts. His most recent start was Saturday when he allowed three earned runs in three innings against Washington.

--RHP Lee Gardner was placed in the 15-day disabled list Friday with right-elbow inflammation. RHP Doug Waechter was called up from Class AAA Albuquerque to take Gardner's place. The Marlins also moved starter Sergio Mitre to the 60-day DL to make from for Waechter.

Last year Gardner posted a 1.94 ERA in 64 games, with 52 strikeouts and 18 walks. This year, he posted a 10.80 ERA in seven appearances. Opponents were hitting .424 off him.

No timetable has been set for his return.

--IF Wes Helms was 1-for-10 when he delivered a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth Friday night to give Florida a 6-5 win over the Nationals.

--3B Jorge Cantu had a temporary protection order filed against him last week in a domestic violence allegation and has a Wednesday court date in Pinellas County.

Cantu said Saturday his legal problems would not require him to miss any games.

"It's not a big deal," he said before referring any other questions to his agent, Steve Canter.

Nanci Michelle Ikerd allegedly sustained bruises to her left biceps and was verbally threatened Feb. 8 by Cantu, according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times.

"The charges are false," Canter said. "We're going to respect the legal process and let it work itself through. He's not going to miss any time with the team."

--After stealing two bases in his first 15 games, SS Hanley Ramirez stole three bases in his last two games -- two on Friday and one on Saturday. Ramirez had 51 steals in each of his last two seasons.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Shutouts thrown against the Marlins in Florida's first 14 games.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's locked in. Hopefully, he will keep it going." -- Manager Fredi Gonzalez, on LHP Scott Olsen.