Cubs walk 6 in the 9th to give the Marlins the victory; Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs

Going into the top of the 9th the Marlins were trailing the Cubs 2-0. Anibal Sanchez started for the Marlins and gave up a solo home run to Cubs' Marlon Byrd in the 2nd inning. Steve Cishek, came in relief for Anibal in the 7th, gave up a single to Geovany Soto to load the bases and then hit Darwin Barney on the 1st pitch bringing in a run.

With a 2-0 lead the Cubs put Carlos Marmol on the mound to get the save. Marmol walked Mike Stanton, Mike Cameron, and John Buck (replaced by a pinch runner in Dewayne Wise at 1st). Greg Dobbs came in to pinch hit in the pitchers spot with the bases loaded, he fought off 7 pitches and on the 8th pitch he delivered a hit (double) to right field which brought in 3 runs. (Brett Hayes replaced Dobbs at 2nd). Marmol then walked Emilio Bonifacio which was the last batter he saw as he was replaced for Kerry Wood. Wood then walked Omar Infante. Gaby Sanchez brought in Hayes on a sacrifice fly to left field. Hanley Ramirez hit a RBI single to put the Marlins on top 5-2. Kerry Wood was then replaced by James Russell. Russell got Logan Morrison to ground out, which moved runners to 2nd and 3rd and intentionally walked Mike Stanton, who lead off the inning with a walk. Mike Cameron then hit his 2nd hit with the Marlins bringing in Infante, and Hanley tried to score but was out at the plate for the 3rd and final out of the top of the 9th.

Leo Nunez came to close out the game with the Marlins leading 6-2. Nunez gave up a lead off bunt single to Tony Campana and a single to Geovany Soto. Brett Hayes with a passed ball that scored Campana. Darwin Barney grounded out, pinch hitter Reed Johnson struck out, and Kosuke Fukudome was struck out looking.

Marlins start the 2nd half with a wild 6-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

First game at Fenway and the Red Sox win!; Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox

Second trip to Boston. Second time at Fenway. Second Red Sox game. First game at Fenway. First regular season Red Sox game.

The first time I came to Boston was 4 years ago in the middle of February. We were going to tour Fenway but we were told it's not worth it due to construction that was being done on the stadium but as we walked around a construction worker told us that if we entered the stadium he wouldn't stop us but he didn't say we could, so of course we went inside and got some photos of the field (tarp on) and the Green Monster. This trip to Fenway was even better we started out eating at a bar called Game On, got to go on the field for the Orioles batting practice, got to go on top of the Green Monster, watched the Red Sox beat my dad's team the Orioles, and got to sit in the Red Sox dugout after the game.

While we watched the Orioles batting practice my father claimed they were having a home run derby, I just let all the trash talk go in one ear and out another because I knew the Red Sox would shut him up...and well they did. The Red Sox had their own home run derby but during the game that put them in first place as the Yankees lost to the Rays to a score of 5-1. The Red Sox had 6 home runs from 6 different players. In the 3rd inning Dustin Pedroia hit a 3 run shot that gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. In the 5th Jacoby Ellsbury sent a ball to center field for 2 runs giving the Red Sox the lead again at 5-3. In the 7th inning the Red Sox would go back-to-back-to-back with solo long balls, starting with a shot from David Ortiz, then Josh Reddick, and then Jarrod Saltalamacchia to push the Red Sox over the Orioles 10-3. The Orioles would score 1 more run to make their loss a 6 run deficit at 10-4.

Andrew Miller was shaky in the beginning giving up 2 runs in the 1st and a run in the 3rd, but in the end he recieved the winning decision as he left after 5 innings with a 5-3 lead and gave up 6 hits and walked 4. Miller is now 3-0 on the season in 4 starts. Orioles' starter Jake Arrieta recieved the loss as he pitched 4.1 innings and gave up 6 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) and is 9-6 on the season.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Vazquez continues to have issues in the 1st; Florida Marlins vs. Washington Nationals

This was Game 3 of a 3 game series with the Nationals. The Marlins looking for their 2nd sweep of the season.

Javier Vazquez going into the game had an ERA over 10 in the 1st innings of games. Vazquez kept up with his horrendous 1st innings as he allowed 6 runs in the 1st. The Marlins got 2 of the runs back in the top of the 2nd from a sac fly by Mike Stanton bringing in Gaby Sanchez after he reached off an error in the lead off spot and Brett Hayes hit an RBI single bringing in Logan Morrison after he hit a double (that moved Gaby to 3rd earlier in the inning).

The Nationals added another run in the 5th inning virtue of an RBI double from Ivan Rodriguez. The Marlins put 2 more runs on the board in the bottom of the 7th off an RBI double from Greg Dobbs and RBI single from Chris Coghlan. Ivan Rodriguez then scored the last run of the game for the Nationals to put them above the Marlins 8-4 on an RBI single from Roger Bernadina.

Javier Vazquez stayed in the game for 4 innings allowing 7 hits, 6 runs (all earned), walked 2, struck out 4, and received the loss to put him 2-4 on the season. The Nationals starter Jason Marquis received the win as he pitched 6 innings allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 of which runs were earned, walked 1, and struck out 2.

The Fish win the home run derby in Cincy; Florida Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds

Both the Reds and the Marlins hit a total of 7 home runs for a total of 12 runs. The Marlins had 5 home runs while the Reds had 2. The Marlins win 9-5, all but 2 runs scored virtue of long balls.

In the 1st, Hanley Ramirez hit his first home run of the season, a 2 run shot to left field off of Reds starter Bronson Arroyo and Jay Bruce hit a 2 run shot to right center field off of Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco. (Tied 2-2)

In the 2nd Greg Dobbs lead off with a solo home run to right field (Marlins 3-2). In the bottom of the 6th Reds Brandon Phillips hit his 4th home run on the seasons, a solo shot tieing the game at 3. Top of the 7th John Buck gave the Marlins back the lead with a 2 run home run to right field.

In the 8th Arroyo was replaced by relief pitcher Nick Masset. Masset then gave up a solo home run to Mike Stanton, a massive shot went 442 yards to center field, and a 3 run shot to Emilio Bonifacio, his 2nd MLB home run and 1st home run that left a park).

Marlins lead 9-3 headed to the 9th but as Brian Sanches tries to hold the Reds for a Marlins win he gave up a 1 out back-to-back singles, walks the next, and then gives up a 2 RBI double to a pinch hitter in Chris Heisey. Sanches was then replaced by Leo Nunez who strikes out the 1st batter he faces, walks the 2nd loading the bases, and then gets reigning NL MVP Joey Votto to ground out to the mound for the 3rd and final out.

Leo Nunez recieves the save, his 9th of the season breaks the 3 way tie for 2nd most saves in the league on the season and he now owns sole possesion of 2nd (Huston Street and Mariano Rivera share 1st with 10 saves). Ricky Nolasco (3-0) with the win and Bronson Arroyo (3-3) with the loss.

The Marlins beat the Reds in the 3 game weekend series in Cincinnati 2-1. Marlins are now 17-9 on the season and are a game back of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Marlins score 5 in the 1st as they win after a 9th inning scare; Florida Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds

The Marlins had 10 at bats and hit for the cycle (the team) in the top of the 1st inning versus the Reds. Emilio Bonifacio lead of the game with a triple. Infante brought Emilio in for the 1st run of the game and long inning while sacrificing himself with a ground out. Hanley Ramirez doubled to right field, his 5th double on the season, Gaby Sanchez was walked by Reds starter Travis Wood and Mike Stanton popped out for the 2nd out. John Buck for the 2nd time in the season took the baseball out of the park, this time a 3 run home run (the other was his grand slam on opening day). The Marlins were up 4-0 at this point with 2 outs. Wes Helms singled to center field and Scott Cousins was walked. Javier Vazquez, Marlins starting pitcher, kept the inning going with an RBI single giving the Marlins the 5-0 lead. Emilio who started off the inning, ended the inning with a ground out to shortstop who got the force out at 2nd to end the long top of the 1st. Travis Wood had 45 pitches in the 1st inning.

The Marlins would get 2 more runs in the top 4th from a 2 RBI single off the bat off Hanley Ramirez bringing in Javier Vazquez (lead off the inning with a single), and Emilio Bonifacio (doubled after Vazquez).

The Marlins, as a team, batted .444 against starter Travis Wood and .176 off the Reds bullpen, Carlos Fisher, Jordan Smith, Nick Masset, and Bill Bray. Lead off man Emilio Bonifacio went 2-5 in the game with a double and triple. Gaby Sanchez went 2-3 with 2 singles and a walk. Javier Vazquez went 2-2 with 2 singles and is batting a respectable .500 (3-6 on the season).

The Reds first 4 runs were off home runs; a solo home run in the 1st by Jay Bruce and a 3 run homer by Jeremy Hermida in the 4th. The game would stay 7-4 until Leo Nuñez would come into close the game off for the Marlins in the bottom of the 9th. Leo got the lead off batter in the 9th out but faced trouble in the next batters to come up. Ramon Hernadez with a 1 out double to center field, Paul Janish then brings Hernadez with Reds back-to-back doubles (7-5 Marlins), pinch hitter in Chris Heisey struck out swinging for the 2nd out, Drew Stubbs singled in Janish (7-6 Marlins), but Leo got Jay Bruce looking for the last out. Leo would still secure the win and a save. Leo is 8-for-8 for saves.

No Reds player had a multiple hit game while the Marlins had 4 players with multiple hits (2); Emilio Bonifacio, Hanley Ramirez, Gaby Sanchez, and Javier Vazquez.

Javier Vazquez (2-2) recieved the winning nod after pitching 6 innings allowing 4 hits, 4 runs all earned, 2 home runs, walking 3, and striking out 3. Travis Wood (1-3) recieved the loss after pitching just 3.1 innings allowing 8 hits, 7 runs all earned, 1 home run, walking 2, and striking out 3.

Dodgers avoid a Marlin sweep in the 10th inning; Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Florida Marlins

Anibal Sanchez's first start since throwing a complete game where he had a no-hit bid going into the 9th. Anibal pitched for 5 innings allowing for 4 hits, 3 runs all earned, 1 home run, walked 1, and striked out 4.

The Marlins scored 4 runs in the 2nd to give them a 4-0 lead thanks to an RBI single by Brett Hayes and a bases loaded 3 RBI double by Chris Coghlan. The Marlins held on to this lead until the top of the 4th where the Dodgers scored 3 thanks to a 3 run home run by Rod Barajas off of Anibal. The Dodgers go on to tie the game at 4 in the top of the 7th as Juan Uribe doubled bringing in Aaron Miles from 3rd. Miles was at 2nd but was awarded 3rd as Ryan Webb balked.

The Marlins looked to have a rally in the 9th as lead off man in Greg Dobbs singled off of Matt Guerrier (Dobbs then replaced by a pinch runner, Osvaldo Martinez), Emilio Bonifacio singled on a bunt, Brett Hayes sacrificed himself and got the runners to 2nd and 3rd with now just 1 out, Scott Cousins struck out, and John Buck came into pinch hit and grounded out to shortstop.

Top of the 10th Brian Sanches came to the mound and allowed a lead off home run to Andre Ethier giving the Dodgers the 5-4 lead. Sanches got the next 3 out in order with a strike out. The Marlins offense couldn't pull off another come-from-behind win as Vincente Padilla came into close for the Dodgers and pitched a perfect 10th. Omar Infante grounded out to shortstop, Hanley Ramirez grounded out to 3rd base, and Gaby Sanchez grounded out to 2nd base to end the game. Brian Sanches with the losing decision, Matt Guerrier with the win, and Vincente Padilla with the save.

Dodgers avoid the sweep and get back to .500 on the season with a record of 13-13 while the Marlins fall to 15-8 and to 2nd place in the NL East as the Philadelphia Phillies won 8-4 versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Marlins Beat the Dodgers Dramatically in the 9th

The Marlins strike first in the bottom of the 3rd by a solo home run by Chris Coghlan. The Dodgers answer back in the top of the 4th with lead off single by Jamey Carroll and then 2 outs later Jerry Sands brought him home on a single to center field.

Coghlan hit another solo home run in the bottom of the 6th to give the Marlins the lead back at 2-1. Dodgers again answer back in the next half inning with a ground out that brought in Tony Gwynn Jr. by Aaron Miles and an RBI single by Jamey Carroll to first tie the game and then to give the Dodgers their first lead at 3-2. James Loney hit an RBI single in the top of the 8th to extend the Dodger lead to 4-2. Gaby Sanchez got the Marlins deficit back to 1 with a RBI single with 1 out in the bottom of the 8th bringing Coghlan in, 4-3 Dodgers. Coghlan at this point had scored all of the Marlins runs.

Brian Sanches comes into relieve in the top of the 9th and throws a perfect inning. In the bottom of the 9th Greg Dobbs struck out hitting lead off and John Buck grounded out for the 2nd out, looked like Jonathan Broxton would recieve the save. Broxton then walked Emilio Bonifacio, the Marlins bring in Hanley Ramirez to pinch hit for Donnie Murphy as Hanley had the day off since he had been in a slump, Hanley gets the off the bench single continuing hope for the Marlins, Scott Cousins reached 1st due to a fielding error on Jamey Carroll and the Marlins tieing run in Emilio Bonifacio scored, Broxton intentionally walked Coghlan, and Omar Infante hit a walk off single bringing in the game winning run in Hanley Ramirez.

Marlins win 4-3. Brian Sanches recieved the win and Jonathan Broxton with the loss. Marlins are now 14-7 on the season.

Anibal jinxed out of a no-hitter by MLB Network; Colorado Rockies vs. Florida Marlins

Anibal Sanchez pitched a no-hitter through 8 innings even though the Rockies had a run in the 1st. The run came off an missed catch error on Gaby Sanchez to get a routine out at 1st off an assist from Emilio Bonifacio. Dexter Fowler the leadoff hitter for the Rockies in the 9th ended Anibal's no-hitter with a single. Edwin Rodriguez, Marlins manager, allowed Anibal to finish the game which was the first complete game for any of the Marlins starting pitchers on the season. Anibal recieved the winning decision as the Marlins won 4-1 and as he pitched a 1-hitter.

MLB Network yesterday kept repeating and repeating that Josh Beckett and Roy Oswalt were pitching no-hitters. In the top of the 6th with a lead off single Beckett lost his no-hit bid after MLB Network analysts said 6 times in 3 sentences that he was pitching a no-hitter. After that then they said that Oswalt was the #1 story so since I was angry at them I helped them also jinx Oswalt. Later one of the analysts was talking about a good game a Mariners pitcher was pitching, not a no-hitter, and asked the other analysts not to jinx him too. The host says well he's not pitching a no-hitter, so they know they were doing wrong yet the continued to persistently announce they are pitching a no-hitter instead of using different wording or just showing the box score and circling the 0 hits. They also did the same thing to JJ two times, the 1st game I was able to watch the actual broadcast so didn't have to hear MLB Network jinx him and the 2nd game I was watching a Red Sox game and following the Marlins game on Game Day. So today since the Marlins game was telecasted and I was told that MLB Network was showing the game while Anibal was pitching. So when the Marlins were batting and during breaks all they were saying was Anibal is pitching a no-hitter and showing stats of when he had pitched a no-hitter as a rookie in 2006 vs. the Diamondbacks.

On a side note; Chris Coghlan hit his 5th career lead off home run (2nd home run of the season) and Gaby Sanchez hit his 2nd season home run, both solo shots. Omar Infante went 2-3 who has been a little off offensively, batting an overall average of .233. Scott Cousins started in left field due to Logan Morrison being put on the disabled list after the game last night, he went 0-4 in the game after going 2-4 last night with his first career home run, a grand slam.

Rockies' sluggers Carlos Gonzalez went 0-4 with 2 strike outs and Troy Tulowitzki went 0-3 with no strike outs.


Link to box score- MLB.com: http://atmlb.com/eBpkSi

The Fish almost hit for the home run cycle; Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Florida Marlins

In Fenway Park on April 11, 2011 going into the game a somewhat of a nobody to baseball fans and Tampa Bay fans, Sam Fuld, but after his performance he was being known on twitter by "The Legend of Sam Fuld" has he made several highlight reel catches and almost hit for the cycle. Sam Fuld (in order) hit a home run, double, triple, and another double making him a single short of the cycle.

I think I maybe the only one who thinks it would be cool for a team to hit for the home run cycle, as I call a team hitting a solo home run, 2 run home run, 3 run home run, and grand slam in the same game. Anyways the Marlins were off a 2 run home run for hitting for the "home run cycle." In the 2nd inning, after Gaby Sanchez lead off the inning with a walk, Greg Dobbs then singled, and Mike Stanton walked, this loaded the bases with no outs for Scott Cousins who becomes the hero of the game with taking his first pitch into the right field stands! This was Scott's first home run of his major league career on his 12th at bat of the season, Mike Stanton also hit a grand slam for his 1st home run last season. In the bottom of the 3rd, after Mike Stanton walked with 1 out and Scott Cousins doubled, Brett Hayes hit a 3 run home run to left field. In the bottom of the 5th Mike Stanton lead off with a solo home run, his first home run of the season. Mike's home run was the last run of the game for the Marlins, they lead 9-2 at this point.

The Pirates had a home run of their own in the top of the 2nd, a solo home run by Pedro Alvarez. Marlins starter Chris Volstad was taken out of the game in the top of the 6th after allowing a single and 2 walks with only 1 out in the 6th. Volstad was replaced by Randy Choate. Choate then allowed a RBI single to the first batter he faced. Choate was then replaced by Ryan Webb. Webb also gave up a RBI single, Webb then hit Josh Rodriguez with a pitch walking in a run. All runs scored were put onto Volstad's ERA as they were all placed on base by Volstad. Pirates would make what used to be a 7 run lead for the Marlins to a 4 run lead.

Marlins win 9-5. Chris Volstad got the winning decision despite allowing 4 hits, 5 earned runs (1 home run), walked 3, and striked out 5. Volstad is 1-1 on the season. Leo Nunez went into close in the top of the 9th but it wasn't a save opportunity, therefore no save, but he allowed 1 hit and striked out 1 while clinching the Marlins win. With this win the Marlins are tied with the Phillies for 1st, though the Phillies may retake full possession of 1st with a win in San Diego as their game began right after the Marlins game ended.

Also if anyone uses twitter or cares, Scott Cousins trended worldwide after he hit the grand slam.

Link to box score/videos of the home runs- MLB.com: http://atmlb.com/eZjEEy

Links to Marlins days headlines:
Marlins sweep the Pirates- Marlins.com: http://atmlb.com/fG6dsq
Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison out 2-4 weeks with left foot sprain- Marlins.com: http://atmlb.com/fQhEBA
Cousins may get expanded role- Marlins.com: http://atmlb.com/i9Q3oE

Reponse to "Know when you've out grown the uniform" by John Steigerwald

As every sports fan and even non sports fans know, on MLB Opening Day a Giants fan, Brian Stow, was beaten into a coma by a Dodger fan in Los Angeles after the Dodgers defeated the Giants. I came across a horrendous article about this incident that made me sick to my stomach.

In an article for Observer-Reporter.com, John Steigerwald talks about what happened to Brian Stow and pretty much blames him for what happened. Steigerwald says grown adults shouldn't be wearing their favorite teams jerseys and that they all need to grow up because they aren't part of the 'team'.

How can you blame a person for being attacked for just wearing a teams jersey? According to his friends account he didn't do anything besides try to get to his car peacefully and the Dodger fan attacked him from behind. They knew that they'd have to watch their backs and every fan knows they do if they go see their team in rival territory but this was beyond anything other fans have done to each other without both sides saying or doing something to each other it was just out of the blue. On the part about not wearing your favorite jersey, that's just bull shit. Every fan wants to show their support to their team by wearing a hat, shirt, or a jersey. I really don't see what is childish about wearing your teams jersey to a game. Fans know we aren't part of the team and most players, mainly young ones, love seeing fans wearing their jersey. This guy is just absolutely ridiculous and should of never posted this article. It's his opinion but he should of known it would blow up and that 99.9% of people would not agree, and especially the way he wrote it. I hope the Stow family has not read this article.

I will continue to wear my teams gear to games even if it's at a rival of my teams park. If I ever was to see the Red Sox play at Yankee stadium, I'd still wear my Kevin Youkilis jersey and Red Sox hat but I would just be careful what I say and what I do. It was a great thing the Giants and Dodgers did pre-game of Game 1 in the next series between each other this time in San Francisco telling the fans to be civil and leave the rivalry on the field and between the players. I hope Brian Stow recovers, he won't be 100% the same though, and my thoughts are with his wife, kids, and whole family.

Link to article by Steigerwald- Observer-Reporter.com: http://bit.ly/fcXqVv
Link to Stow's friends account of what happened- ESPN: http://es.pn/ggR2kp

After 13 games the Red Sox get their 3rd win; Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox

This was Josh Beckett's first start since his 8 inning shut out vs the Yankees for the Red Sox 2nd win on the season. Beckett is 2-1 on the season. Beckett pitched 7 innings allowing only 3 hits, 1 earned run, walking 2, and striking out 9 (5 called strike outs). Beckett gave up a double to Aaron Hill in the top of the 2nd and then a RBI single to Travis Snider for the Blue Jays only run on the game. The only other Blue Jay hit Beckett gave up was in the 5th, a single from Jose Molina. Beckett pitched 3 perfect innings; the 1st, 3rd, and 7th. For once the Red Sox bull pen was able to back up the starting staff, though only 2 innings in relief were needed. Daniel Bard came in the start of the 8th gave up a lead off single to John McDonald but he was caught stealing 2nd by Jason Variteck for the 1st out, Yunel Escobar struck out swining for the 2nd out, and Corey Patterson grounded out for the 3rd out. Jonathan Papelbon came in for the 9th and the attempt of a save. Papelbon got the 1st 2 batters out, Kevin Youkilis commited a fielding error allowing Aaron Hill to occupy 1st who then took 2nd and 3rd on defensive indifference, and Travis Snider flew out for the final out. Papelbon protected the Red Sox 4-1 lead and got the save.

The Red Sox offense scored their only runs in the 1st and 2nd innings. Jed Lowrie lead off the 1st with a single, Dustin Pedroia walked, Adrian Gonzalez brought in Lowrie with a single to give the Red Sox the 1st run of the game, and then Youkilis an RBI double bringing in Pedroia. David Ortiz walked with no outs loading the bases but not shocking to Red Sox fans the Red Sox leave the bases loaded. In the 2nd inning Jacoby Ellsbury lead off with a walk and Jed Lowrie hit a 2 run home run, last run of the game (4-1 Red Sox). Every inning besides the 6th the Red Sox had a hit with in the inning. In innings 1, 4, 5, and 8 the Red Sox lead off with a single. The only extra base(s) hit for the Red Sox was from Youkilis in the 1st inning, a RBI double.

The Red Sox are 3-10 on the season, 3-4 against American League East rivals and at home, Fenway Park.

From pessimism to optimism back to pessimism; Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox

As I was starting to write a post on how absolutely awful the Red Sox pitching was in this game, which it was, the Red Sox offense started a rally in the 8th with the help of 2 walks by Blue Jay relief pitcher Marc Rzepczynski scoring 3 runs adding to their 3 runs from the 3rd inning as they still trail the Blue Jays 7-6.

The Red Sox had a 3-0 lead until the 5th inning when Clay Buchholz gave up 2 runs by a 2 RBI triple from Corey Patterson. Alfredo Aceves came into relieve Buchholz in the 6th and gave up a run off a RBI double from Travis Snider. Bobby Jenks gave up 4 runs in the 7th and was replaced by Felix Doubront after Jenks only recorded 1 out. Doubront got the next 2 batters out for no more damage but was stolen off of by Aaron Hill. After all of this the Blue Jays had a 7-3 lead and all hope for a 3rd win for the Red Sox was disappearing until the 8th when Rzepczynski came in relief of Blue Jays reliever Jason Frasor.

Rzepczynski was able to get Adrian Gonzalez to ground out to first base. Rzepczynski then walked back-to-back Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. J.D. Drew struck out swinging for the 2nd out.  Jed Lowrie came to pinch hit for struggling Jarrod Saltalamacchia as he batted Rzepczynski threw a wild pitch that moved Youkilis and Ortiz both into scoring position for Lowries RBI single to shorten the Blue Jays lead to 3. Blue Jays then took Rzepczynski out of the game and put in Casey Janssen who gave up a 2 RBI double to Marco Scutaro shortening the Blue Jays lead over the Red Sox to 1 (7-6 Blue Jays). Janssen was able to get the 3rd out and stop the Red Sox rally when Jacoby Ellsbury flied out to right field.

Jonathan Papelbon was able to do his part and get 3 outs without allowing a run. Sadly the Red Sox top of the line up couldn't do anything to either win the game or put it into extra innings. Carl Crawford struck out, he went 0-5 in the game as lead off hitter, Pedroia grounded out to short stop, and then Adrian Gonzalez, with his newly signed deal with the Red Sox keeping him in Boston for at least 7 years, grounded out to 1st base for the 3rd out. A perfect 9th for Blue Jay closer Jon Rauch and a save as the Red Sox fall to 2-10 on the season.

It's really hard to be optimistic watching the Red Sox play now. The pitching is giving up runs like nothing and the offense can't keep up with it. I'm wondering when they can snap out of this and start winning. I'm not the type of fan to jump ship so I'll still watch the games on game day since I can't get NESN and I am still a Red Sox fan, a very depressed Red Sox fan.

Coghlan powers the Fish over the Nats; Grapefruit League: Florida Marlins vs. Washington Nationals

On an extremely hot day in Viera, Florida the Florida Marlins traveled from Jupiter to play the Washington Nationals in their former spring training home. The Marlins in the 3rd inning took the first lead of the game. National pitcher Ross Detwiler hit Chris Coghlan in the head with a pitch, safe to say this was payback from Ricky Nolasco hitting Nyjer Morgan (who was traded right before the game to the Milwaukee Brewers) and Danny Espinosa, and then on a double by Greg Dobbs with two outs, Coghlan made it home barely safe. The Nationals in the bottom of the 3rd; Ian Desmond with 1 out and no one on tripled to right field and Jayson Werth with an RBI sac tied the game up at 1. Nationals' Michael Morse hit a lead off solo home run in the 6th to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. Next batter grounded out, then in the 3rd spot (of the inning) Espinosa singled and then stole 2nd and 3rd on Brian Sanches. A wild pitch by Sanches brought Espinosa home to extend the lead to 3-1. The 7th inning was a great one for the Marlins. A lead off single by Scott Cousins started it all. Brad Davis then also singled, and on a bunt attempt by Ozzie Martinez, Ryan Zimmerman made a fielding error allowing the bases to be loaded. The Marlins then put Jeff Dominguez to pinch hit for the pitcher Sanches and he hit an RBI single bringing in Cousins, 3-2 Nationals. Coghlan hit a beautiful line drive to right field which resulted in a 3 RBI triple which gave the Marlins the lead again at 5-3. There was still no outs in this inning when Doug Slaten walked Emilio Bonifacio, who then stole 2nd. With 1 out Wes Helms brought Coghlan home with a RBI sac fly to right field. Which then ended the rally at 6-3 Marlins. In the bottom of the 9th the Nationals scored a run but still fell 6-4 to the Marlins. Brian Sanches got the win for the Marlins, Brian Broderick got the loss for the Nationals, and Daniel Jennings got the save.

Starting line up

Nationals' starting pitcher, Ross Detwiler

Marlins' starting pitcher, Adalberto Mendez

Greg Dobbs at bat. (I just think this photos cool.)

Chris Coghlan clearly makes it safe and the ump agrees.

Rick Ankeil batting. (Also thought this was pretty cool.)

Jeff Dominguez scores uncontested.

Dan Jennings pitching and recieved the save.