Despite watching the Kentucky Derby segment on SportsCenter Saturday morning, I could not successfully pick the winner of the 137th running of the race. But I did get to watch the Marlins play game two of their three game series with the Nats…that did not turn out any better.
The Marlins entered the game coming off a depressing extra-inning loss to Washington, in which they had the tying run on third with no outs and couldn’t score him. Chris Volstad got the start for the Fish, and gave up two runs in the first inning.
In the top of the second, Chris Volstad made an amazing effort on Rodger Bernadina’s tapper. Volstad came off the mound to his right side and laid out his 6’8″ body to stab his bare hand in order to stop the gounder. He quickly spun around on his butt, and fired a missile to first base, but the speedy Bernadina beat it out.
If Volstad had made that play, it would be number one on SportsCenter’s top 10 for a long time; play of the month, play of the first half of the season, play of the year, etc. I’m sure it could have topped out on Baseball Tonight’s Buehrle Meter as well.
Anyway, prior to the game John Buck had trouble pronouncing “Miccosukee” for a promotional advertisement of the resort and gaming hotel. In the bottom of the second, he hit a two run shot over the Miccosukee sign in left center, conquering the name more-or-less.
The Nationals scored another run to take a 3-2 lead, and the Marlins blew their next scoring chance. Hanley Ramirez stood on first with two outs as Mike Stanton blooped a hit on the right field line in the sixth. Ramirez was able to advance to third on the hit, but Stanton rounded the first base bag too much, and Jayson Werth was able to throw behind him to get the third out.
The Nats tacked on two more before the game’s conclusion. Chris Volstad received the loss, and Gorzelanny the win. Florida has dropped three straight between the Cardinals and the Nationals, and currently stand at 19-13, 3.0 games back of Philadelphia. Washington’s streak is just the two wins over Florida coming after being swept in Philly. The Braves have turned their season around, now 19-16, just a game and a half back of the Fish.
The second no-hitter of the 2011 season was thrown by Justin Verlander on Saturday night. It was the second no-hitter in his career, as Verlander became the 28th pitcher in history to achieve that feat. And the Marlins haven’t had any near no-nos in recent history, so we will have to see if they can get one this year.
Anibal Sanchez gets the start in Sunday’s day game just to fend off a sweep from the Nats.
The Top Step 
With the way the Kentucky Derby had horses pulled from the gates with injuries or odd decisions, it was a wonder it had that huge excitement level. But it was still the day of mint julieps, big hats and a huge bundle of energy as the Triple Crown began. A 20-1 shot burst across the line first. Animal Kingdom…..tell me that is not a great omen for the sport.
Since Snachez’s amazing performance almost 5 days ago this Marlins team just seems a bit…flat.
Not sure why, but with Sanchez hitting the hill again, maybe his pitching can snap the Marlins out of their collective funk and back into the winner’s circle….Why not, a Marlin is a member of the Animal Kingdom…
Rays Renegade
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