Down 2-0 to the Braves in their home opener, the Marlins called on John Maine for the first time to pitch the top of the ninth inning. Maine, a 31-year-old veteran right-hander, had a shaky start, giving up two hits and a deep fly out to center. However, he was able to escape the jam by striking out Reed Johnson, and inducing a ground ball from BJ Upton.
Despite garnering two base runners in the bottom of the frame, the Marlins were unable to come through against Craig Kimbrel, falling to Atlanta 2-0. They are now 1-6 on the year, and were shut out for the third time already in this young season. John Maine pitched just the one inning, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Maine, a former Mets stud, is from my hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia where he attended North Stafford High School. After undergoing shoulder surgery in 2010, Maine had difficulty regaining his form, and bounced around the league, spending time with the Rockies, Red Sox, and Yankees before signing with Miami this past offseason. He is the first Marlin to ever wear the number 73.
The Top Step 
Great blog. I took a similar approach in chronicling the entire season, but on a weekly basis; I have tremendous respect that you can post such in-depth quality so regularly. Good job!
Be sure to checkout my weekly Dodger blog throughout the season for a British perspective on baseball – http://britishdodger.mlblogs.com/