Homer-happy Marlins seek equalizer

Combine the Marlins' power with a homer-friendly stadium, Great American Ball Park, and you have a chance to see some offensive sparks. The Marlins flashed their power on Monday night, connecting three times for home runs.

Great American Ball Park now has witnessed 50 home runs on the season, including five on Monday night. Traditionally, Cincinnati's park has ranked among the leaders in home runs allowed. This season is no different, as the building is the site of the third most homers in the Major Leagues.

The Marlins, actually, have displayed their power pretty much everywhere. They have 56 home runs on the season.

"I think it's just the makeup of our offense," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It's a pretty good offense we run out there."

Offense certainly dominated the series opener on Monday, which was won by the Reds, 8-7, snapping Florida's seven-game winning streak.

Still, the Marlins are 3-1 on the road trip. While they have three games left in this series, they need to take one of those contests to guarantee a winning road trip.

"We probably learned a lesson that we've got to keep on," Luis Gonzalez said. "They've got some pretty good hitters on that team. In this ballpark, you've got to stay on teams when you get a chance, especially the way the ball travels here."

Dan Uggla is on a home run tear, having homered in three straight games, with four total. One of those shots, a blast at Washington on Saturday, was a grand slam.

Jeremy Hermida has gone deep in two straight games, including a first-inning shot on Monday.

<!--CHANGE c_id for team-specific probables page--> Pitching matchup
FLA: LHP Mark Hendrickson (5-1, 3.56 ERA)
Gonzalez said Hendrickson has earned the right to try to win games. Unfortunately for Hendrickson, the lefty was a bit uncharacteristic with his pitch count during his last start Thursday against the Brewers. Hendrickson, who usually conserves his pitches pretty well, threw over 60 pitches through three innings and exited with 109 after 4 1/3 innings -- being unable to log the required five innings to be eligible to get a win. Still, Hendrickson goes into his start against the Reds having given up three runs or fewer in seven straight starts.

CIN: RHP Edinson Volquez (5-1, 1.06 ERA)
Volquez pitched seven scoreless innings in the Reds' 9-0 win over the Cubs on Wednesday and gave up four hits and six walks while tying a career high with 10 strikeouts. He has yet to allow more than one earned run in any of his seven starts. Meanwhile, it's good bet that the Reds' bats will participate big when Volquez pitches. In his five wins, the team has scored 44 runs, including three games with nine or more runs.

Tidbits
Reliever Lee Gardner, on the DL since April 18 with right elbow inflammation, has begun light throwing. ... Josh Willingham will not be coming off the DL on Tuesday with his back strain. Willingham likely will hit in the cages on Tuesday, and he will play in rehab games before being activated. ... Mike Jacobs got yet another day on Monday to rest his tender left quad. Jacobs is available, and he did some light running in the outfield on Monday. He remains day-to-day. ... Dinner on the Diamond will take place on Sunday, providing fans with the opportunity to picnic with the Marlins players, coaches, broadcasters, Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids. The event will immediately follow the 1:10 p.m. ET Interleague game with the Royals at Dolphin Stadium. Tickets are $200 for adults, $100 for kids 12 and under, and corporate rates for groups of 10 are $1,500. For information, call 305-623-6497.

On television
• FSN

On radio
• WAXY 790, WQBA 1140 (Español)

<!--CHANGE c_id for team-specific probables page; section now should include starters, with W/L and ERA like this:--> Up next
• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 2-3, 5.35) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo, 2-4, 7.14), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Andrew Miller, 3-2, 6.52) at Reds (Matt Belisle, 1-3, 7.45), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (Scott Olsen, 4-1, 2.63) vs. Royals (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET