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Florida Marlins Team Report - August 8
By The Source
Aug 8, 2004

(Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins will try to continue their domination of the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon when they try and complete a three-game sweep of their series at Pro Player Stadium.

Florida went 7-2 versus Milwaukee last season and has captured 11 of the last 13 in the series, including last night's 5-0 win. Jeff Conine's first-inning grand slam was all Ismael Valdez needed on Saturday, as he picked up the win in his Marlins debut.

Valdez (10-6), who pitched a four-hit shutout earlier this season against the Brewers with San Diego, tossed six scoreless innings of two-hit ball in this one, helping the Marlins to their seventh straight win at home versus Milwaukee.

Luis Castillo collected three hits and a run scored for Florida, which has won three in a row overall.

Florida skipper Jack McKeon picked up his 900th career win, becoming the seventh active manager to reach the plateau.

Heading to the hill today for Florida will be lefthander Dontrelle Willis, who is 8-7 on the season with a 3.93 earned run average. Willis is coming off a loss in his last outing on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he allowed four runs on eight hits over seven frames.

The 22-year-old hurler earned the win in his only other start against the Brewers.

Florida third baseman Mike Lowell, who is mired in a 2-for-24 slump, was given the night off on Saturday, but should be back in the lineup today.

Florida is 30-24 at home on the year.