As I try to figure out Word Press and the East coast is getting battered with thunderstorms, the Marlins are continuing their winning ways. I apologize for the long drought of posts, but now that my baseball season is over, I should have a lot more time.
In the series starting May 9th, the Fish lost two of three to Philadelphia. Both losses came by two runs. Backed by J-Roll’s lead-off homer, the Phillies outlasted Florida 6-4 in the opener. The next day JJ put up another quality start, going seven surrendering just one run leading Florida to a 2-1 victory. Chris Coghlan hit in the go-ahead run on an eighth inning single. Unfortunately, the Marlins lost the rubber match after pulling ahead with a 3-0 lead through six innings. Rollins plated the clinching run to give the Phils the 5-3 victory.
Then the Marlins proceeded to Nationals Park where they powered their way to a 4-1 lead in game one. Gaby Sanchez and John Buck went back-to-back in the first inning before Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison each added solo shots during the regulation innings. The Nationals tied the game at 5 to send it into extra innings. As has been highly publicized, Omar Infante’s dexterous slide in the 11th clinched the game for Florida.
I was at the park on Saturday, which, despite a Marlin win, was the worst day to go. I was hoping to see Anibal Sanchez throw a no-hitter, but a win is good enough. Mike Stanton’s seventh inning solo jack secured the win for the Marlins. Nothing seemed to be jumping through the misty rain, but that was no match for Stanton’s raw power. I’ll soon have a more detailed post about that game.
And on Sunday, Florida just couldn’t put together the ingredients for a win. Javier Vasquez, who has been more of a liability for the Fish, was marred by a couple of first inning mistakes. He surrendered six runs in the inning on five hits, including a double by Jason Marquis. After a valiant comeback attempt, Emilio Bonifacio struck out for the ninth inning’s third out.
Next, it was off to Citi Field to play the Mets where the infield had apparently been exposed for several rainy days. Even though the precipitation had stopped before the scheduled start time, Monday’s game had to be delayed because of the condition of the infield. When the game finally got underway, the low scoring affair began. Mike Stanton’s 465-foot home run to center field in the seventh tied the game at one before it proceeded into extra innings. Burke Badenhop came through in the 11th with an RBI single to clinch the win for Florida. Talk about an unlikely source! It’s rare that a relief pitcher even bat, especially in the extra innings.
The already short two game series was shortened even further when Tuesday’s game was washed out. It’s currently hailing in Virginia, and I’m about to watch the Marlins host the Cubs on WGN. Play Ball!
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