(Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres are aiming for their first sweep since late May this afternoon, when they close out a three-game series versus the homestanding Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium.

San Diego has won the first two portions of this Miami series and hasn't recorded a sweep since taking nine straight games versus the Reds, Giants and Cubs from May 15-24. In Saturday's 7-4 victory, Will Venable homered and Oscar Salazar went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Padres, who have won four of their last five games. Tony Gwynn drove in a pair of runs in a winning cause.

Wade LeBlanc started for the Friars and was reached for four runs in six innings for the no-decision. Adam Russell threw a scoreless seventh inning for the win and Heath Bell struck out three in the ninth for his 31st save.

First-year righty Mat Latos gets the call for the Padres today and he is 0-2 in three trips to the hill since a personal four-game winning streak. Latos did not record a decision the last time out in a 2-1 win over Atlanta on August 25, as he gave up only two hits in seven shutout innings.

Latos, who is 4-3 with a 4.06 ERA in eight starts, has never faced Florida.

The Marlins have dropped three in a row and seven of their last 10 games to fall eight games off the mark in the National League East standings. They are also 4 1/2 games behind in the Wild Card race.

Ronny Paulino belted a two-run homer and finished with three RBI in last night's loss. Ricky Nolasco started for the Marlins and allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. Luis Ayala was saddled with the loss for giving up an additional three runs in relief.

Rookie Sean West gets the nod for the Marlins today and he is 5-5 with a 4.44 earned run average in 14 starts this season. He has won two of his last three starts, including an August 25 encounter with the New York Mets at home.

West held the Mets to one run over six innings of a 2-1 victory. He is 4-2 in eight starts at home this season and has never faced San Diego.

Florida swept a three-game series against San Diego from July 20-22 at Petco Park and has won six of the previous nine matchups between the clubs.



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