(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't enjoyed much success against NL East foes this season and will try again tonight in the continuation of a three-game home series versus the Florida Marlins.
The Dodgers lost, 6-5, in last night's series opener to fall to 4-10 against teams from the National League East Division this season. Rafael Furcal hit a two-run homer and both James Loney and Russell Martin drove in a run for Los Angeles, which had a modest two-game winning streak stopped and fell four games behind NL West-leading San Diego in the division standings.
Los Angeles, which entered the game with five wins in six tries, received another rough outing by rookie starter John Ely. Ely's ledger dipped to 4-6 this season after he surrendered six runs -- five earned -- and nine hits over 2 2/3 innings of work.
"John didn't locate his curveball. It was only going about 55 feet. He wasn't able to attack the strike zone," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre.
Torre will have veteran hurler Vicente Padilla on the mound Tuesday and he's 2-2 with a 5.05 earned run average in seven starts this season. Padilla won his last outing on Wednesday in an 8-2 victory at San Francisco, as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball and struck out five batters.
Padilla squared off with Florida in a 7-6 road loss on April 10 this season and did not record a decision. He was reached for four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings with six K's, and is 4-5 in 18 career meetings (12 starts) with the Marlins.
Florida has won back-to-back games since losing three straight and seven of nine, and recorded all of its runs last night by the third inning. All-Star snub Dan Uggla registered three hits and Wes Helms knocked in a pair of runs for the Marlins, who pulled within 8 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the division standings. Uggla owns two homers and eight RBI in his last six games.
Nate Robertson was able to even his 2010 mark to 6-6 despite giving up four runs -- three earned -- and seven hits in six innings. Jose Veras pitched a perfect seventh inning, Clay Hensley allowed a run in the eighth and Leo Nunez notched his 18th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
"It was a good win. I work quick and I had good defense behind me. I used everything because those guys can hit. When you win it is a good night," said Robertson.
The Marlins, who are 2-2 on a 10-game road trip and will also visit Arizona for four games, will send Chris Volstad to the mound Tuesday for his 17th start of the season. Volstad has struggled in his last 10 appearances, going 1-5 with a 4.69 ERA. Florida is 1-9 over that stretch.
Volstad last pitched in Wednesday's 6-5 loss versus the New York Mets, but did not figure into the decision despite giving up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in five innings. He lost to the Dodgers back on April 9 this season, as he permitted three runs (2 earned) in 6 1/3 innings of a 7-3 setback at Sun Life Stadium.
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.
Florida won two of three meetings with Los Angeles the last time these two teams got together from April 9-11 this season.