SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (PITTSBURGH-FLORIDA) MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Florda Marlins gun for ther first three-game winning streak of the season tonight when they battle the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third of a four-game series. Florida won consecutive games for the first time this season with a 8-1 pounding of Pittsburgh on Friday thanks to a four-hitter from Livan Hernandez. The Marlins, who have not allowed an earned run in 17 innings, snapped a three-game skid with the win. The Pirates are riding a five-game losing streak, which prompted a meeting from manager Gene Lamont on Friday. "We had a nice team meeting to discuss some things like the terrible baseball we've been playing," Lamont said. "You can't blame it on the road. Big league teams have to win on the road." Pittsburgh is 8-13 away from Three Rivers Stadium. Florida sends Ryan Dempster (1-1, 4.91 ERA) to the hill. Dempster surrendered three runs and six hits over five innings on Monday in an 8-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. In two starts, Dempster has 13 strikeouts but given up as many hits in 11 innings. In two appearances against the Pirates last season, Dempster allowed seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, posting an 0-1 mark. Todd Ritchie (2-3, 3.69) looks to snap a personal two-skid for Pittsburgh. He allowed just two runs and six hits over seven innings Monday against Atlanta, but received no run support in a 2-1 defeat. During his streak, Ritchie surrendered 10 runs -- seven earned -- and 13 hits in 10 1/3 innings. This is Ritchie's first ever appearance against the Marlins.  