"Despite playing indoors, the Rays have been quite harmful to Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! starter Ricky Nolasco.

Nolasco gave up three home runs to the Rays in 2 1/3 innings during Saturday's 6-5 loss. It was his shortest outing in his past 37 starts dating to May 22, 2009 when the Rays ripped him for eight runs on eight hits in two innings which led to his demotion to the minors.

Nolasco is 2-2 in four starts against Tampa with an 8.38 ERA, so it's no surprise manager Fredi Gonzalez opted to start him on his regular rest against Texas on Thursday instead of Friday against the Rays in the home rematch.

"Ricky's throwing on his normal day so we'll give him a chance to face Texas instead of the Rays. They've never seen him,'' Gonzalez said.

Nolasco (5-5, 5.05 ERA) gave up 17 hits and eight runs in 7 2/3 innings over his two starts against the Mets and Rays on the trip, and has given up 14 homers, two less than the major league lead.

"I just made those mistakes on those pitches and it seemed like nothing would fall my way,'' Nolasco said. "They just kept finding the holes with some hits. Just shake it off and give it five days.''

Left-hander Nate Robertson, whose turn was skipped after Wednesday's rainout in Philadelphia, saved the bullpen with 5 2/3 innings of one-run relief, will start Friday."