Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Marlins finally win!; Los Angeles Angels vs. Florida Marlins

The Marlins coming into this Tuesday night game versus the Los Angeles Angels for the 2nd game of their 3 game interleague series were 1-19 in the month of June. Today being the first day of summer the Marlins are 1-0 in summer.

Gaby Sanchez gave the Marlins an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st with a solo shot to left with 2 outs. Omar Infante brought in another run in the bottom of the 2nd on sac fly which Greg Dobbs scored on, 2-0 Marlins. Bottom 6, RBI double by Mike Stanton makes it 3-0 Marlins. Mike Stanton strikes again in the bottom of the 8th with an RBI single and Infante singled in a run as well 5-0 Marlins. The Marlins would keep the 5-0 lead until the top of the 9th. Jose Ceda came in relief for Burke Badenhop for his first appearance this season in the majors and he gave up 2 runs after striking out the first 2 batters. Leo Nunez came into relieve Ceda and walked his first batter and then struck out Russell Branyan for the final out and give the Marlins the 5-2 win.

Javier Vazquez started the game and received the winning decision has he pitched 5.1 innings allowing 10 hits but no runs, walked none, and struck out 4. Angels starter Ervin Santana received the loss as he pitched 5 innings giving up 2 runs (earned) on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Chris Coghlan sent down to Triple-A

Chris Coghlan has been in a slump this season with the Florida Marlins. He has started in 65 games (of 69 games) and has an average of .230 with 62 hits in 269 at bats with 26 extra base(s) hits. The last 10 games Coghlan has an average of .171 with 6 hits in 35 at bats. He had been bumped out of the leadoff spot when Hanley came back from the DL and was put in the 8th spot which was suppose to take pressure of him. He continued to struggle even there.

Dewayne Wise was signed to a minor league deal to play in Triple-A and was given Coghlan's roster spot and is starting in center in tonight's game in Tampa. To make room for Wise on the 40-man roster the Marlins designated Dustin Richardson, relief pitcher in Triple-A, for assignment.

I think this is a good move. Cogz is in a major slump and was losing confidence. Sending him to the minors where he won't have as much pressure on him and he can get his swing and confidence back in check.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Marlins swept in Philly; Florida Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies

A day game to finish off a 4 game in 3 days series in Philadelphia. The pitching match up was Javier Vazquez vs. Cliff Lee. Coming into the game it was obvious Lee was the better pitcher and well... he showed it as he pitched a complete game shutout. Lee lost the perfect game early by walking Gaby Sanchez in the lead off spot in the 2nd and he lost the no-hitter on a Mike Stanton 2-out single in the 5th. Cliff Lee's only non 1,2,3 innings were the 5th and 6th innings. Lee also helped himself as he went 2-3 with a single and an RBI double bringing in the 1st Phillies run in the 4th.

The Marlins only had 2 hits, singles from Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison. Stanton was left on in the 5th after he singled and Logan Morrison was out in a double play (by Jose Lopez) in the 7th.

Ryan Howard hit a opposite field solo shot to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the 5th and Jimmy Rollins hit an 2-out RBI double in the 6th.

Phillies won 3-0 Cliff Lee the win and Javier Vazquez the loss.

Marlins lose a heart breaking double header in Philly; Florida Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1 was a rematch of a rained out game on April 16th, with the loss in this game put the Marlins on the losing side of the April series 1-2.

Elih Villanueva on his MLB debut pitched only 3 innings gave up 5 hits, 8 runs all earned, 5 walks, 2 strike outs, and gave up a 3-run home run to Jimmy Rollins in the 3rd. Villanueva pitch count was at 94 when he was pulled after the 3rd. Brian Sanches pitched 3 innings in relief of Elih, Edwin Mujica pitched 2/3 of an innings (left due to wrist injury), and Burke Badenhop pitched 1 and 1/3 innings all 3 pitchers combined to allow 3 hits (1 per pitcher), no runs, 1 walk, and 4 strike outs.

Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick pitched 7 innings allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run, walked 1, struck out 5, and gave up 1 home run to Logan Morrison in the 1st.

The Marlins only had 6 hits and only 1 was extra bases, the solo home run by Logan Morrison. The Marlins left 9 runners on base as opposed to the Phillies leaving 18 on base.

The Marlins lost 8-1, Elih Villanueva with a loss in his debut and Kyle Kendrick with the win now 4-4 after his 5th start of the season.


Game 2 the Marlins were leading before the bullpen (Leo Nunez) blew the lead in the 9th.

Anibal Sanchez had the win over Phillies ace Roy Halladay. Anibal Sanchez pitched 7 innings allowed 4 hits, 2 runs all earned, walked 4, and struck out 6. Roy Halladay pitched 7 innings allowed 6 hits, 4 runs all earned, no walks, and struck out 8.

The Marlins scored 2 in the 1st inning. Hanley Ramirez lead off with a double, Chris Coghlan moved him to 3rd on a ground ball to 2nd base, Logan Morrison brought Hanley home on a ground ball to 1st base, and Gaby Sanchez hit a 2 out solo home run. Chase Utley helped get a run back on a RBI double in the bottom of the 1st bringing in Jimmy Rollins who was walked in the lead off spot. Top 4th Greg Dobbs hit a 1 out ground-rule double against his former team, Jose Lopez hit a double but couldn't score Dobbs, and John Buck then with still 1 out singled in Dobbs and Lopez to put the Marlins up by 3. Bottom 5 Utley brought in another run on a triple that scored Shane Victorino. The Marlins had a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th which brought out Marlins closer Leo Nunez. Leo Nunez got the lead off hitter of Domonic Brown to ground out, then gave up a single to Carlos Ruiz, a single by pinch-hitter Ross Gload (replaced by pinch-runner Michael Martinez), Jimmy Rollins lined out to Leo which moved all the runners into scoring position for Victorino's game tying 2 RBI single. 10th inning the Marlins couldn't get on the board and the Phillies with 2 outs got a walk-off RBI single by Ruiz.

Michael Dunn received the loss, Leo Nunez with a blown save, and Ryan Madson with the win.


Marlins are now 32-36, 4 games under .500 and are tied for last place in the NL East standings with the Washington Nationals

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Elih Villanueva called up from Triple-A




Elih Villanueva to make his MLB debut on Wednesday during the first game of a double header. The game is a make up from a rained out game on April 16th. He will face Phillies Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick is an actual relief pitcher but has started 4 games due to injury of Joe Blanton.

Elih Villanueva was drafted out of FSU in the 27th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft by the Florida Marlins.




Elih Villanueva was an ace in Double-A Jacksonville in the 2010 season. Villanueva started 28 games (179 innings) and had a record of 14-4 with an ERA of 2.26, walked 34, and struck out 115. Villanueva had 4 complete games and 3 shut outs which includes a no-hitter he pitched on a rain shortened game on August 14th versus the Cincinnati Reds Double-A team, Carolina Mudcats. Villanueva was 2nd in Southern League in wins (first was teammate Tom Koehler), 1st in complete games, 1st in shut outs, and 1st in innings pitched. Villanueva received Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors in August, Southern League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star, Marlins Organizational Pitcher of the Year, and was a TOPPS Double-A All-Star.

This season Elih Villanueva started in Triple-A New Orleans. Villanueva hasn't had a great start to the season after the great 2010 season and a 2011 Spring Training. He has started in 13 games for New Orleans with an 4-5 record with an ERA of 5.23 in 72.1 innings. In his last start he allowed 4 hits, no runs, walked 2, and struck out 4 in 6 innings.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Marlins win 1st interleague battle; Tampa Bay Rays vs. Florida Marlins

The Marlins fall short of a series sweep versus their interleague rivals the Tampa Bay Rays but still gets the series victory.

In Game 1 on Friday in Sun Life Stadium, the Marlins beat the Rays with a final score of 5-3. The Rays struck first and early with a 2 RBI triple off of Matt Joyce's bat off a pitch by Anibal Sanchez in the top of the 1st with 2 outs. The Marlins were able to get 1 of the runs back off a ground out by Logan Morrison bringing in Chris Coghlan as he lead off the inning with a double. Sanchez makes up for the 2 run 1st with a perfect 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. Logan Morrison ties the game up at 2 on a lead off home run (6) in the bottom of the 4th off of Andy Sonnanstine and then Mike Stanton 3 batters later, 2 outs later, hit a solo home run (10) to give the Marlins a 3-2 lead. The Rays would score the 3rd run, that tied the game at this point, off of Sanchez in the 7th as Matt Joyce scores off of a Casey Kotchman single. Matt Joyce was able to score due to a triple he hit with 1 out. In the 8th, Hanley Ramirez lead off the bottom of the inning with a single, Logan Morrison then doubled putting 2 runners in scoring position, Gaby Sanchez then hit a sacrifice fly bringing in Hanley to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead, Greg Dobbs was intentionally walked, Mike Stanton sacrificed himself with a fly to 1st baseman bringing Logan Morrison in for the 5th run, and John Buck flied out for the 3rd and final out. Marlins reliever Michael Dunn received the win, Rays reliever Joel Peralta received the loss, and Leo Nunez received his 16th save out of 16 save opportunities.


Game 2 on Saturday in Miami, the Marlins beat the Rays again with a final score of 5-3. The Marlins beat Rays starter David Price as the Rays lost to Marlins struggling starter Javier Vazquez and Leo Nunez picked up his 17th save as he remains perfect and keeps a steady lead for most saves on the season in the whole MLB. Logan Morrison again had another RBI in the 1st inning as he knocks in Emilio Bonifacio and Hanley Ramirez with a double. Another 2 home run night for the Marlins and from some unusual players this season, Hanley Ramirez rocked on out of the playing field for his 3rd home run on the season in the 6th inning and Omar Infante hit his 1st home run on the season in the 7th inning. An awful top of the 8th for the Marlins as they gave up shut out as Michael Dunn went in for relief for Vazquez, walked 2 while getting 2 outs. Ryan Webb came in and walked Evan Longoria loading the bases. Randy Choate came in after Webb faced just Longoria and walked Kelly Shoppach which walked in a run, and then Edward Mujica replaced Choate and gave up a 2 RBI single to Johnny Damon and struck out John Jaso for the 3rd out. The Marlins went through 4 pitchers as they walked 4 batters and gave up 3 runs, Marlins still won 5-3.


Game 3, the Marlins lost to the Rays 4-0. Josh Johnson was suppose to start this game but he was placed on the 7-day DL and Jay Buente was called up from Triple-A New Orleans to make his first MLB start (his MLB debut was last season on May 27th). Jay Buente pitched a good 1st as he only put 1 man on base due to a walk, but in the 2nd and 3rd he gave up 2 runs (the only runs in the game). In the 2nd; Sean Rodriguez and Kelly Shoppach hit back-to-back 1 out singles, James Shields brought in 1 run as he reached 1st due to a fielding error by Marlins 3rd baseman Greg Dobbs, and Elliot Johnson brought in another run as he grounded into a force out at 2nd. In the 3rd; Evan Longoria with 1 out hit a ground rule double, Matt Joyce doubled Longoria in with 1 out, Casey Kotchman tripled in Joyce with 2 outs, Sean Rodriguez walked, Kelly Shoppach hit by pitch to load the bases with 2 outs, and James Shields popped out for the 3rd out and left the bases loaded. Jay Buente got his first decision in his career in the MLB which was the loss after pitching 5 innings allowing 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), walked 3, and struck out 1. James Shields received the win as he pitched a complete game allowing 3 hits, no runs, walked only 1, and struck out 13 batters.


The Marlins are 26-19 on the season and still in 2nd place in the NL East to the 1st place Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins are a game and a half back of the Phillies. The Marlins take on the defending World Champions Giants in a 3 game series in San Francisco next.

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Red Sox sweep the Yankees; Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

After a 2-10 start (which those 2 wins came from victories over the Yankees) for the Red Sox, they are now at .500 for the first time this season at 20-20. This is the second sweep of the season for the Red Sox and both were in enemy territory. The first sweep was in Los Angeles versus the Angels April 21-24 during a 4 game series. The Red Sox go into the Bronx with a 2-1 record versus the Yankees and leave with a 5-1 record versus them.


Game 1:

Clay Buchholz was on the mound for the Red Sox and Bartolo Colon for the Yankees. Adrian Gonzalez with a solo home run in this game, which gave him 3 consecutive home runs in 3 consecutive games. Russell Martin also with a 2 run home run for the Yankees in the game.  Those home runs were off the starters. Joba Chamberlain came into relief for Colon and gave up 3 runs to the Red Sox off  a 1 RBI sac bunt by Adrian Gonzalez and a 2 run homer by Kevin Youkilis. Daniel Bard replaced Buchholz and we gave up a lead off triple to Curtis Ganderson in the bottom of the 8th and 2 batters later he threw a wild pitch which brought Ganderson in.

The Red Sox win 5-4. Clay Buchholz received the win allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 home run, walked 1, and struck out 7 in 7 innings of work. Bartolo Colon with the losing decision after pitching 6 innings allowing 5 hits, 3 runs 2 of which earned, 1 home run walked 3, and struck out 4. Jonathon Papelbon with the save even though he allowed a run on 2 hits.


Game 2:

Josh Beckett with the start for the Red Sox and CC Sabathia for the Yankees. Beckett pitched 6 innings allowing 4 hits, walked 2, struck out 9, and 0 runs. Beckett pitched a 6 inning shut out, Matt Albers and Rich Hill in their combined 3 innings of relief work kept the shut out and win for Beckett. CC Sabathia pitched 2 outs longer than Beckett allowing 7 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 home run, walked 3, and struck out 6.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a 2 RBI double in the top of the 4th to put the first runs on the board for either team. Jason Varitek hit an RBI single in the top of the 7th for a 3 run lead over the Yankees and Adrian Gonzalez continued his home run streak, with his 4th consecutive home run in his 4th consecutive game, with a 3 run home run in the 7th.

The Red Sox win 6-0 and shut out the Yankees.


Game 3:

The Yankees start the scoring with an RBI single from Mark Teixeira in the bottom of the 1st to give the Yankees a 1 run lead. In the top of the 2nd the Red Sox tie it back up with a sac fly off the bat of Jed Lowrie. To lead off the bottom of the 2nd Yankees DH Andruw Jones homered to break the tie and Curtis Ganderson homered to give the Yankees a 2 run lead. Red Sox again come back to tie the game in the next half inning this time off the bat of Kevin Youkilis and it was a 3 run home run. Game tied at 4. In the top of 5th David Ortiz hit himself in for an RBI and to give the Red Sox the lead for the first time in the game, 5-4. Dustin Pedrioa scored in the top of the 7th off an error by Alex Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez then makes it up in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double. Top of the 8th Jarrod Saltalamacchia wanted that 2 run lead back as he homered into right field, his first of the season and first for Red Sox catchers. The Red Sox won 7-5.

Jon Lester started the game for the Red Sox and received the win even though his line reads as; 6 innings pitched allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 strike outs, and 2 home runs given up. Freddy Garcia the Yankees starter for the game received the loss pitching 5.1 innings allowing 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, 2 home runs, 2 walks, and 4 strike outs. Jonathon Papelbon with another save in a perfect 9th.


Notes:

All 3 of the Red Sox starting pitchers received the win while all of the Yankees starting pitchers received the loss.

All 3 games there was a home run, both teams hit a home run each game besides game 2 where the Yankees hit none.

Jonathon Papelbon with 2 saves in games 1 and 3.