--The Marlins' series finale against the Reds was rained out in Cincinnati. No makeup date for Thursday's game was announced. Possible dates include Aug. 18 and Aug. 25.

The last time the Marlins were rained out was April 14, 2007, at Atlanta.

LHP Andrew Miller, who was supposed to start Thursday, will start Friday against the Royals.

--1B Wes Helms planned to start at first base Thursday night despite a sore left arm. Helms was hit by a pitch just above the elbow Wednesday during Florida's six-run ninth inning, but he said he has no plans to wear protective gear. "I've tried to wear an elbow pad, but it feels too weird. I just can't do it," he said.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he hoped to start 1B Mike Jacobs this weekend. Jacobs has missed the past seven starts due to a tight left quad.

--2B Dan Uggla has four home runs and nine RBIs in his last five games. He has eight home runs this month, one short of the club record for homers in May. Cliff Floyd (2001) and Preston Wilson (2000) each hit nine bombs in May.

--Although the Marlins are 15th in total attendance among NL teams (Pittsburgh is last), Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said he thought his players deserved to see a bump at the gates this weekend.

"They play good, hard baseball and they play better when there are people around," he said. "It'd be nice to see fans come and support us."

--LHP Scott Olsen, who will start Saturday, laughed when the same question was posed to him.

"It'd be nice," he said, "and it'd be unexpected. Let's put it that way."

The Royals are the only team in the majors that has never visited South Florida to face the Marlins. That changes Friday night when the teams kick off interleague play.

--Cleveland 2B Asdrubal Cabrera tossed the ball into the stands after turning the 14th unassisted triple play in baseball history Tuesday.

After Reds rookie Paul Janush connected for a game-winning hit in his second at-bat in the 10th inning Thursday, Marlins RF Jeremy Hermida nearly tossed that baseball away, too.

"I thought about tossing it into the stands, but then I thought, 'Isn't this the kid's first hit?'" Hermida said. "I ran in and gave it to (Reds infielder Ryan) Freel."

BY THE NUMBERS
212 -- Games (through May 11) the Marlins had played without a starter throwing a complete game. LHP Scott Olsen came within one strike of going all the way Tuesday against the Brewers before he walked Joe Dillon with two on and two out in the ninth. Florida won 3-0 after Kevin Gregg threw one pitch to get Bill Hall on a fly out.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It means they're going to have a really, really, really good player for a long time."-- 2B Dan Uggla on SS Hanley Ramirez, who is close to signing a six-year $70-milion extension.

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