Miller looks to bounce back vs. Nats

SoulRat · Subject: Miller looks to bounce back vs. Nats Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:40 am

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Miller looks to bounce back vs. Nats
04/06/2008 8:10 PM ET
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

It's not the official grand opening, but it is Florida's first visit to another new stadium.

After finishing up their homestand at 3-3 on Sunday, the Marlins will take on the Washington Nationals on Monday night at Nationals Park.

The Marlins will send 22-year-old left-hander Andrew Miller to the mound in hopes of getting the road trip off to a good start.

In his Marlins debut on Wednesday, the 6-foot-6 former Tiger labored with his command in a loss to the Mets. In 4 1/3 innings that day, he gave up five runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking two.

"I still need to throw more breaking balls, and better ones at that," Miller said of his objectives in the team's first meeting with Washington. "I still have got my work cut out for me."

Miller grew up in Gainesville, Fla., and played college ball at the University of North Carolina. He has visited Washington, D.C., and he's ready to see the team's new state-of-the-art stadium.

"I've been [to Washington] a few times before," he said. "I actually went there for Interleague Play last year. It will be nice to see the new stadium."

After playing in beaten-down RFK Stadium in recent years, the Nationals are boasting a sparkling 42,000-seat stadium.

"It's great for them. It's nice to have the conveniences, but it doesn't matter where it is, or what the stadium looks like," Miller said. "If you get a win, you're happy."

Miller's biggest focus is on improvement. Few in the game question his natural talent. He's got electric stuff, but is still refining his approach.

In all, he has appeared in 11 MLB road games with seven starts. Away from home, he is 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA. All those outings came when he was with Detroit.

The Marlins' starters are trying to make strides in lasting deeper into games. In their first six games, the starters lasted at least five innings only three times.

"I'd like to get out there long enough to save the bullpen a little bit, and just give the team a good chance to win," Miller said.

Pitching matchup
FLA: LHP Andrew Miller (0-1, 10.38 ERA)
Miller's debut for the Marlins was a rough one, as the 22-year-old ran up 90 pitches and issued five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mets at Dolphin Stadium. Working deep into games is a concern for the Marlins, and Miller has the makings of being a top-of-the-rotation sensation. For now, he is still learning, and falling behind in counts was a problem against the Mets. It also gave him trouble for most of Spring Training.

WSH: RHP Tim Redding (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Redding ended up having one of the best games of his career, pitching seven-plus innings and giving up just one hit, as the Nationals blanked the Phillies, 1-0, at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday. His only hit allowed came in the second, when Pedro Feliz singled to center field. After that, Redding retired 15 of the next 17 batters. Redding managed to pitch very well despite a game-time temperature of 49 degrees. On Monday, Redding will face the Marlins for the sixth time in his career. He is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA against them.

Tidbits
The Marlins entered Sunday in sole possession of first place in the National League East for the first time since May 26, 2005. ... Bench coach Carlos Tosca was back with the team on Sunday after he attended his son Matthew's performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Saturday night. Tosca has a DVD of the performance of his 18-year-old son, who plays the violin. ... Hanley Ramirez swiped his first base of the season in the sixth inning on Sunday. ... Jeremy Hermida (left hamstring strain) and Mike Rabelo (left knee sprain) continue to be on rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter.