De-Streaking Mode

Here's almost everything you may or may not want to know about tonight's pitching matchup...

The Phillies have won 6 straight games with Cole Hamels on the mound, and 8 of Hamels' last 9 Saturday starts.

"Hamels (5-3, 3.18 ERA) struggled through his worst start of the season Sunday, giving up a season-high six runs in a season-low four innings. But the Phillies' offense bailed out its ace with 16 hits, including three home runs, in the 15-6 victory". Hamels has "pitched at least seven innings in nine of his first 10 starts".

Hanley, who may not start tonight, "is 6-for-12 with four doubles and two walks against the left-hander (Hamels), who's 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against Florida."

"Ricky Nolasco (4-3, 4.70)...is 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander allowed three runs in five innings of a 7-3 victory over the New York Mets on Monday.

"Nolasco is 1-2 with a 6.60 ERA in five career games - two starts - against the Phillies." (USAtoday)

"Hamels fired a four-hitter for his first career shutout in a May 15 win over Atlanta, then racked up 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless frames in a no- decision at Washington five days later...In his six mound trips at Citizens Bank Park in 2008, the 24-year-old has posted an outstanding 2.23 ERA along with a 3-2 record.

"Nolasco recorded season bests for strikeouts (7) and innings pitched (7) while limiting Arizona to one run and three hits in a May 21 victory." (SportsNetwork)

"Rickey is very good at keeping the running game in check as opponents are just 3 for 6 in stolen base opportunities. The Marlins might run on Hamels as he's allowed seven steals in eight attempts. Of course, they need to get on base and Hamels opposition OBA is a very low .271." (BaseballMusings)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

NEW-STREAK: Ricky shut them down, and Cody and Luis kept doing what they've been doing, and Hanley did better, as the Fish beat the Phils 7-3. (Yahoo!)

Fish in Philly for Three

Mark Hendrickson against Brett Myers tonight. (MLB)

The Marlins "are 8-2 in Hendricksons last 10 starts" but the Phillies "are 9-2 in their last 11 Fri. games." (USAtoday)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

OY-VEY: Start of the long-predicted collapse or just one loss out of 162 games? I think the MSM will be writing the former more than the latter. Fish lose 12-3. It helps that the Mets and Braves lose too. (FOX!)

Stuff From The Sources

Uggla respects Utley. (MiamiHerald)

Don't make Wes choose between Uggla and Utley. (SunSentinel)

John Brattain thinks the Mets are just a couple of players away; the Phillies looked scary in their last 15 games; and the Marlins might be for real. (ProgenitorOfSGD)

The Mets 1-5 batters looked good last night. (BaseballMusings)

Marlins talk about being respected, and how they don't care about what others think; how this upcoming series is important, and how it's just another ballgame. (MiamiHerald)

Gonzo: an all-around great guy. (PalmBeachPost)

109 Games to Go

The Marlins get a break before playing in Philadelphia on Friday. They may need a break considering, as a commenter to Berardino's blog post points out, that last night's game "was one of the worst games I think the Marlins have played this year. As a team they were 5/41 (.122 Batting Avg) with 16 strikeouts. They were swinging for the fences all night including our players that are supposed to be line-drive hitters (i.e. Amezaga and Rabelo). They happened to get lucky twice." And yet the Fish almost won that game;, as Alfredo said, the Mets were the ones that got lucky. (SunSentinel)

Let's just hope Cody doesn't cool off. (SouthFloridaFanBlog)

The Mets, Braves and Nats play tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Bounce-Back Game Tonight

Olsen verses Oliver tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

DAMN: The never-give-up Marlins got the lead twice, in the 6th inning and in the top of the twelth with Alfredo's first homer of the year (instant payback for Duaner's chin music), but Justin couldn't hold 'em as Tatis doubled 2 runs in in the bottom of the 12th - Mets win 7-6. (FOX!)

P.S. There may have been something in the air. "Three teams tied their games in their last at bats to force extra innings, and all three won." (BaseballMusings)

Mini-Slumps

"(T)he Marlins were kicking themselves after going a maddening 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in this 5-3 loss at Shea Stadium.

"No one was more flummoxed against Santana than the previously scorching Dan Uggla. The Marlins' second baseman went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts against Santana and left a total of six runners on base....

"Suddenly, Mr. May is in an 0 for 7 skid that includes three K's, three groundouts to shortstop (one for a double play) and a harmless fly ball to center. Before this recent mini-downturn, Uggla was hitting .410 (32 for 78) in May with a team-record 12 homers." (SunSentinel)

MORE: 6 of Cody Ross' last 7 hits have been homers. But that's 7 hits out of his last 30 at-bats. (MLB)

Game 2 in Flushing

Johan Santana ("Santana has won all three of his career starts against Florida, posting a 1.96 ERA and striking out 24 in 18 1-3 innings") against Andrew Miller ("3-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his last four starts") tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

FLUSHED: Mets win 5-3. (FOX!)

Johan on Jacque

'"He's a great guy," Santana said. "Great character, great player, always joking around. We had some good times together. He plays the game hard."...

'Santana and Jones had a running gag during batting practice with the Twins where Santana would stand out in left field and dare Jones, an excellent opposite-field hitter, to stroke a pitch over his head.

'Jones, platooning in center with the right-handed hitting Cody Ross, probably won't get the start tonight against Santana, but his former teammate predicts he will have a strong impact on a young team of freewheeling overachievers.

'"He knows exactly what it's like because we went through it in Minnesota," Santana said of those Twins teams that reeled off three consecutive division titles from 2002-04. "I'm pretty sure he's going to bring all that up to those guys over there."'(SunSentinel)

JACQUE-ON-JOHAN: '"He is always upbeat," Jones said. "He's always excited. He's always happy. He's like a little kid playing baseball. He was our stopper in Minnesota. Every time he went out there, you knew you had a good chance to win."'(MiamiHerald)

Former Fish Report

Chris Resop has been DFA by the Braves. (NaplesNews)

Julian Tavarez may be joining the Brewers. (CBC)

Memorial Day Game

It's a busy early Memorial Day for me, so here's the preview of tonight's game, and here are the scores...

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GREAT-START: Luis knocked in 3 runs to help the Fish beat the Mets at Shea 7-3. Joe Nelson, retrieved from AAA for De La Cruz, finished up the game. (Yahoo!)

Double-Duty Today

Misch vs. Hendrickson pitching Game 1 - Matt Cain will be in Game 2, but Fredi's yet to decide on a starter.

Omar Vizquel will probably tie the record for most games by a player at the position of shortstop in Game 1; whether he will break the record in Game 2 is up to Bruce Bochy. (MercuryNews)

NOTE: Robert Andino has been called up now that Brett Carroll is now on the DL.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

NEWS: Misch gives up 2 homers to Jeremy and Jorge in the 1st of the 1st. Since Hanley was walked, the score is 3-0 Marlins after one inning (and Rowand makes it 3-2 in the top of the 2nd.)

YAY: Marlins win the first game 8-6; Andino is sent back down, and De La Cruz starts the second game.

DOUBLE-YAY: Marlins win the second game 5-4. Visquel did break the record, but Uggla broke the Marlins May homer record. (Yahoo!)

Game 2

Cain vs. Badenhop tonight.(USAToday)

Steve B. and Lisa Lisa perform after the fireworks. (It's good that the fireworks go off before the shows this year - those late games last year with the midnight fireworks did not make for happy neighbors.) (FishStripes)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

RAINOUT: Geffner said it is the first postponement of a game in Miami Gardens since 2004. No concert or fireworks either. Double-header tomorrow.

Breaking News (and Mending News)

Brett seperated his shoulder, tore some ligaments, and has a swollen face after last night's collision. (FishStripes)

Lee adds a shoulder problem to his elbow problem; Willingham is doing his back exercises; Johnson and Anibal are throwing live batting practice; De Aza is running, hitting, throwing; and Mitre is light tossing. (MLB)

The Giants Stomp Into Town

SF won Wednesday against the Rockies, but they "are 2-6 in their last 8 games following a win", and "are 1-9 in their last 10 Fri. games." Meanwhile, the Marlins "are 8-2 in their last 10 games following a win" and "are 6-2 in their last 8 Fri. games." (USAToday)

Olsen vs, Zito tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

OUCH: Didn't find out till late that the Giants were on a 4-game winning streak in Miami Gardens. It's now 5. In a overt diaplay of 'regression to the mean', after the Marlins handed the D-backs' Brandon Webb his first loss of the season, they now give the Giants' Barry Zito his first win of the season. And almost-Marlin Jose Castillo hits a homer. And Brett Carroll starts but is injured. (FOX!)

C-of-C "Strongly Supports" MegaPlan

"The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce this week officially put its support behind the biggest public works project in Miami in decades -- a megaplan that would help build everything from a port tunnel to a baseball stadium." (MiamiHerald)

Jacque Called Up

Along comes Jones, and Andino's down to AAA. (FishBytes)

Trying to Sweep the Snakes

It's Andrew Miller vs. Dan Haren.

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SWEET-SWEEP: Andrew strikes out 9 in 7 innings, and both Jorge and Alfredo knock in 2 RBI, as the Marlins defang the DiamondBacks 4-0. (Yahoo!)

Anyone Wanting a 1997 World Championship Ring?

Go get your bids in. (BleacherReport)

Nolasco Vs. Webb Tonight

'Webb has won each of his first nine starts, becoming the first pitcher to do so since Andy Hawkins for the Padres in 1985.

'"Any time you face a guy like him you should automatically elevate a little bit," right fielder Jeremy Hermida said. "It gets you more excited knowing that guy is one of the best out there and you know you have to step your game up a little bit."' (SunSentinel)

Luis talks about his former teammate: "You don't get a lot of fly balls in the outfield when he's playing...You might get two or three, at most. If he's getting a lot of ground balls early, you know he's on top of his game." (MLB)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

WOW!: That whooshing sound wasn't the stiff breeze blowing out to center - it was the sound of the air being let out of all the experts' arguments about how legit the Marlins really are, as tonight Ricky Nolasco out-pitches Brandon Webb, and the Hanley-less Marlins beat the Diamondbacks 3-1. (Yahoo!)

Repair News

Willingham sees "the Dr. James Andrews of backs", who diagnoses a herniated disk and prescribes a "core program" to build strength, with surgery a last resort. "My back has been feeling better the last three days", says Josh. (MiamiHerald)

The other Josh, "right-hander Josh Johnson threw 51 pitches in a simulated game Monday in Jupiter." (PalmBeachPost)

"There's no return in sight anytime soon for right-hander Sergio Mitre, who is only doing light tossing." (MiamiHerald)

Snakes at the Stadium

Arizona is 5-1 in its last 6 games, and 6-1 in its last 7 games against the Marlins - but the Fish are 5-2 in their last 7 at home, and 11-5 in their last 16 at home vs. Arizona. (OnlineWire)

Hendrickson vs. Owings tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

WIN!: Uggla bring 'em in, Gregg shuts 'em down; Fish win 3-2. (MiamiHerald)

News and Notes

Fredi goes to Jupiter to see Jacque Jones, who signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins, a move made more necessary by Cameron's slow start.

Hanley may return to batting lead-off after stinking up the joint batting third, and with the added pressure that the next 3 pitchers the Marlins will face have a combined 18-3 record.

On the other hand, Dan Uggla has thrived hitting number five.

Cincinatti on fire - after the Reds swept the first-place Fish, they also swept the first-place Indians.

Both McPherson and Coghlan are tearing up the minors.

Day-Off

Only NL East action today (if it doesn't rain) will be Philly at Washington.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

NATS-WIN: And we wore out the Royals so much that a no-hitter was thrown against them.

Commissioner Trying to Destroy Ballpark Plan

"Flexing his muscle as County Commission chairman, Bruno Barreiro is thwarting Commissioner Joe Martinez's call for a vote to kill local government's $3 billion megaplan." (MiamiHerald)

Multi-Year Deal Destroying Hanley?

"Look back to May 10, the day word leaked out that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was prepared to lock up his star shortstop for six more seasons, a pre-emptive strike against the ravages of arbitration.

"When the news made headlines that morning, Ramirez was batting .336 and right on track to match the 2007 numbers that made him 10th in the National League MVP voting, right behind the titanic Albert Pujols.

"Since that day, however, Hanley has hit just .194, including 1-for-4 in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

"His strikeouts are rising, too, with two coming on Sunday against Royals starter Zack Greinke, also 24. One of those came with runners at first and third and two outs in the third inning, before the game got completely away from the Marlins.

"Over the weekend, Ramirez whiffed on six consecutive official at-bats during one stretch, with only a walk to interrupt the misery." (SunSentinel)

Jones Reaches 'Almost-A-Marlin' Status

'Jacque Jones is close to becoming a Marlin.

'Negotiations between the Marlins and Jones' agent, Damon Lapa, are in "advanced discussions."' (MLB)

MORE: A "Major League source" agrees (FishBytes)

Going For the Series Win

His mom and dad will be watching Burke Badenhop pitch for the Fish, while the Royals have what-a-season-he's-having-so-far Zack Greinke on the mound but with Miguel Olivo as his battery-mate for the first time this year.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

DRAT: Marlins lose 9-3. (FOX!)

Streak Reversal Mode

The Marlins want to stop their 4-game losing streak by ending the Royals' 5-game winning streak. Olsen verses Bannister tonight. Paul Rodgers performs tonight after the fireworks.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

YES-WES: Helms hits a 3-run homer as the Fish win 7-3. (Yahoo!)

Deal Announced

Hanley's officially a long-term Marlin, unless Jeffrey has a change of heart sometime down the road.

The announcement today near the site where most of the Orange Bowl used to be included no specifics, but happiliy Joe Frisaro provided those.

Supposed Specifics: "According to a high-placed source familiar with the negotiations, the 24-year-old shortstop's six-year, $70 million deal will kick in next season.

"Ramirez will make $5.5 million in 2009, and the deal bumps up considerably in the upcoming years.

"By coming to terms now, the Marlins will lock up Ramirez through his arbitration years (2009-2011), and then three more years, where he could have qualified for free agency. For those three seasons, the shortstop will earn $23.5 million.

"The Dominican Republic native will get $15 million in 2012, $15.5 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014...

"The contract does not include a no-trade clause or a signing bonus."

The Royals Come to Town

Miguel Olivo returns to hang with his homeys. Tomko vs. Miller scheduled.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

SPECTACU-LOSS: Jeremy homers in the first runs scored off the Royals closer all year, but it was just one run short - the never-give-up Marlins lose 7-6. (FOX!)

Reds Are Betting On the Marlins

Wes 'Helms relayed a quick story on Thursday that the comeback reinforced how the Reds feel about the Marlins' chances to win the National League East.

'When Cincinnati's Jerry Hairston Jr. walked in the bottom of the ninth, he turned to Helms and said: "That's why we think you'll win the NL East. You guys never give up."

'Helms said Hairston told him the Reds talked about the Marlins' grittiness.

'"We can't take you lightly," Hairston told Helms. "Some teams would give up. But you never give up." (MLB)

In One Hand, Out the Other

County Manager Burgess tries to explain how the ballpark and all the other goodies provided for in the MegaPlan are to be funded, while Braman continues to shout "Shell Game!" (MiamiHerald)

Some Posts of Note

Fish@Bat notices the Times, thay are a'changing.

Mike Berardino's post on one of the Marlin's surprise defensive ratings leads to a discussion on who's the best Marlins defensive player, which umpire has it in for the Marlins, and how Fredi and Bo are doing.

Joe Capozzi's post notes how the Marlins did something that hasn't been done in over sixty years.

Bright Orange Seats reports on the arrest of a former Marlin's father.

Florida Marlins Finances discusses the Ramirez contract as a change in the front office's strategy with regards to revenue sharing money (in that they are actually spending some).

Game Number Friggin' Four

Tonight, Andrew Miller vs. Matt Belisle. (MLB)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

ALRIGHT A RAINOUT!, for as Mr. B.O.S. puts it, "the Marlins will get the evening off. The way things were going in Cincinnati, this constitutes a win in our book."

BOO A RAINOUT!, for that means the Fish will have to inconveniently return to the Great American LossPark to face the Reds sometime in the future.

From what I've read, no makeup date has been set as of yet. As I do a quick scan of the schedules it seems to me the best-looking date for both teams may be September 22, when the Fish and Reds both have a scheduled day off between a home stand and a non-West-Coast road trip.

Record-Breaking Pace

"Approximately a quarter of the season is completed, and at their current pace, the Marlins are headed to setting franchise records for runs scored and home runs...

"The team is on pace to slightly lower its strikeout total from a year ago. In '07, the team fanned 1,332 times. It is on a clip to finish 1,325." (MLB)

Something to Chew On

Inspired by ASponge's post at the South Florida Fan Blog dealing with the accusation that the Marlins have beaten up on below-.500 teams, our crack staff calculated the win-loss percentages for the opponents of all the NL East teams. As of Tuesday night, here are the NL East teams, their win-loss record as of Tuesday, the combined win-loss records of all their opponents so far this year against the rest of the league, and that in percentage...

Nationals 16-24, 147-126 (.538)
Mets 20-17, 185-169 (.523)
Phillies 22-18, 209-221 (.486)
Marlins 23-16, 151-161 (.484)
Braves 19-19, 147-167 (.468)

NOTE: The Marlins don't seem to be over-performing as much as the Braves seem to be under-performing.

Quickie-Update

For anyone interested, today was the first day that nothing of what's left of the structure of the Orange Bowl could be seen from Metrorail - nothing except for the scoreboard, which I guess they're saving till the very last minute.

Game 3

Bronson Arroyo against Ricky Nolasco tonight. (BlueRidgePreview)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

10:30PM ET: Marlins and Reds are in the 10th inning, tied at 6. This after the Marlins came back from a 6-0 deficit by scoring 6 runs in the 9th inning. According to Mr. Geffner the only other time the Marlins did that was on Aug 29, 1998. The Fish do not score in the top of the 10th.

10:35PM: It's starting to rain at Grated American Ballpark. And that was Aug 26, 1998.

10:45PM: Marlins lose in the bottom of the 10th as the rookie Janish lines in the runner from second in his 2nd MLB at-bat.

11:00PM: How about another date? April 18, 2006 - the last time the Marlins won in Cincy.

Can Cantu Survive Playing Third?

'Cantu, who airmailed a throw Monday that resulted in his seventh error, regularly ices after games. Especially with all the extra infield work the Marlins do, Cantu is trying to take it easy during pregame drills.

'"I've just been working on it," Cantu said, of the postgame icing. "With the change of positions, sometimes it just feels like it's hanging there. I'm just strengthening it, doing exercises before the game, after the game."'

ALSO: Tank may have found an irregularity in his delivery, Willingham's still in pain, and Jacque Jones is free. (SunSentinel)

Hendrickson Vs. Volquez Tonight

(YahooPreview)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

BALLPARK-WINS-AGAIN: That makes it 6-losses-in-a-row for the Marlins at Grated American (since 2006) as the Reds win 5-3. (FOX!)

Some More Links (Now With Improved Dashes)

Nate Bump's back in baseball. (DailyReview)

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Badenhop's 'nice and loose', has 'energy', is a 'goofy guy', and does 'occasionally hop around the mound between hitters'. (ToledoBlade)

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"Consider: Only three of the Marlins' 23 wins have come against teams that entered yesterday with a winning record. (The Phillies, Mets and Braves all have eight wins against winning teams.)" (True, but after the Marlins are through with them, they aren't winning teams any more.) (Philly.com)

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Uggla doesn't know why he's hitting so good, Olsen doesn't know why he's pitching so slow; and Hammer, Jacobs and Gardner are mending. (MiamiHerald)

Ohio

Fish start a four-game series in homer-friendly Cincinatti, taking their 7-game win streak to do battle with their 3-game losing streak in Great American Ballpark.

Burke Badenhop goes against Aaron Harang tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

BALLPARK-WINS-TONIGHT: The Marlins hit 3 homers but the Reds hit 2 and then some - Fish almost come from behind again but end up losing 8-7. (FOX!)

Some Bloggage...

Marlins end hunt by picking Hunt. (MarlinsBallparkNews)

'The 10 Commandments of Wiley'. (MarlinsNation)

'Marlins Are Doing It Without Key Starters' (SouthFloridaFanBlog)

"...And speaking with multiple people who are close to both parties, ignore the false confidence the Marlins may be showing: They are SCARED of Norman Braman. And so is Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. Just reporting what I've been told." (DownWithJMP)

Scott Vs. Shawn Hill For the Sweep

(Yahoo)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

BISSEL-SHOW-'EM: The Marlins win their 7th-in-a-row, sweeping the Nats with a come-from-behind 5-4 score. (Yahoo!)

Game 2

Andrew Miller will try to build on his last performance, The Nats send out Mike O'Connor, who tonight is making his first start of the year. (Yahoo)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

WOO-HOO!: Danny knocks in 5 as the Fish trounce the Nats 11-0. (Yahoo!)

Hanley and Marlins Make Long-Term Deal

Check out Craig's report at FishStripes for the basic story. After that, here's some additional stuff...

For those who won't believe it until they've heard an official announcement, George Richards at the Herald's new blog states that the front office believes it: "No one inside the Marlins organization will talk about this publicly, but off the record, they are fired up. As they should be"

Ya gotta love Bright Orange Seats' headline.

The most-sensible naysayer I've found was "Anonymous" commenting at MarlinsNation, who says, "this doesnt mean anything. all it means is that the Marlins plan on keeping him atleast one more year to avoid the $15M he'd be making next year. Instead, they save a few million. SO I guess we can be happy HanRam will stay with us another season, unless the Marlins go on a losing streak."

Considering the reports say that the deal won't include a no-trade clause, he may have a point. Josh Alper at the FanHouse reminds us: "If the deal goes as planned, it would be the first time the Marlins signed one of their own players to a multi-year extension since 2005. Of course, each of the players they signed back then, Carlos Delgado and Paul Lo Duca, ended up in different threads one year after John Hancocking the bottom line. Ramirez, at a reasonable price, will still be quite tradable throughout the life of the contract and would command a king's ransom of prospects."

Back in D.C.

And the Fish are alone in first place again. "A win over the Nationals tonight would give the Marlins the best start in franchise history after 35 games." Ricky against Redding tonight. (MLB)

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

THE-BEST-START-EVER: Ricky and Luis power the Fish over the Nats 7-3. (Yahoo!)

'Our Leader'

That's what Cantu says about Luis, and it seems the team agrees. (MBTmag)

MEANWHILE: Last year's 'leader' misses the Marlins. (BostonHerald)

Braman, County Going to Trial

"A Miami judge Thursday gave the go-ahead on a lawsuit filed by automobile magnate Norman Braman to stop a $3 billion redevelopment plan that includes the construction of a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins.

"Judge Pedro Echarte dismissed one count of Braman's lawsuit against Miami-Dade County but said the remaining issues would be decided at a trial in July. Attorneys for the county wanted all of Braman's complaints thrown out." (Local10)(CBS4)(MiamiHerald)

Possible Sweep Tonight

Hendrickson's got his curveball and mental game working well. He faces Carlos Villanueva tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

EUREKA: A "palindromic 12,321" fans gave a warm reception to Craig Counsell and watched the Marlins sweep the Brewers 7-2. (Yahoo!)

Some Other News Quotes

"Did you see that Sports Illustrated did a fan survey rating Major League ballparks?...

"The survey ranked food, affordability, team quality (the Sox were second to Detroit) tradition, atmosphere, fan IQ (again the Sox were second to St. Louis), hospitality, promotions, traffic and neighborhood...

"The survey said the Cleveland Indians were ranked first, the Milwaukee Brewers second and the Pittsburgh Pirates third.

"The Florida Marlins were worst at 30th, with the Washington Nationals 29th and the New York Mets checking in at 28th." (ValleyBreeze)

"Wednesday, a Pinellas County Court judge rejected a petition for a temporary protection order against third baseman Jorge Cantu. St. Petersburg resident Michelle Ikerd last month was granted a continuance in the matter, but she failed to appear in court Wednesday, according to Steve Canter, Cantu's agent." (SunSentinel)

Fun News Quotes

"Wednesday, the Marlins matched the best start in franchise history after 33 games. The 2004 and 2005 clubs also opened 19-14.

""It's just a fun team right now," Cantu said.

"A season-best five games over .500 for the fourth time, the Marlins with a series sweep can go to six over for the first time since Sept. 23, 2005, when they were 80-74." (SunSentinel)

"Alfredo Amezaga...made two incredible plays in center field. He raced to left-center and made a diving, somersault catch to rob Corey Hart of an extra-base hit in the second, and then made a diving, over-the-head catch in deep center to rob Rickie Weeks.

"'Amezaga was awesome. That was Mr. Amazing in center field,' Badenhop said.

"Badenhop was perfect for 3 2/3 innings, sending the first 10 Brewers back to the dugout before former UM standout Ryan Braun broke up the perfection with a single." (MiamiHerald)

"While the Marlins have gotten off to a fast start, their farm system is glowing red hot, as well. Each of the orgainzation's four primary minor-league clubs has a winning record with double a Carolina leading the pack at 16-7." (BleacherReport)

Game 2 With Brew Crew

Badenhop verses Bush tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

MARLINS-6,BREW-CREW-2: Jacobs pulls up with leg tightness in the third inning, but otherwise it's all smiles as Burke gets his first Major League win. (Yahoo!)

Player Movements

Fish are thinking about Jacque Jones; Willingham hasn't swung a bat since going on the DL; and Josh Johnson and Anibal continue to throw. (PalmBeachPost)

Big Boys Byt By Blogging Bug

The Miami Herald, way behind the other local papers, have finally started a blog on the Marlins. Go take a look at Fish Bytes.

Brewers Come to Town

Scott O. will try to recover from his last start. Milwaukee throws The Soup at us.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

RECOVERY: Olsen gets one pitch away from a complete game as he two-hits the Brewers - Fish win 3-0. (Yahoo!)

Stadium Politics

MLB starts a new series describing the progress in the planning and building of the new stadium.

Meanwhile some county commissioners now suggest that they'll say no to the ballpark if the plans to expand Metrorail to the northern part of the county (which is nowhere near the ballpark) are scuttled.

Off-Day Player Profiles

Hendrickson has done at least one thing that Michael Jordan has failed to do. (PalmBeachPost)

Carroll's waiting for his first start. (MiamiHerald)

Words used in describing Rabelo; 'energy', 'flavor', 'excitement', 'confidence'. (MiamiHerald)

Olsen denies he's maturing, but his denial sure sounds like it - "Everybody just thinks I'm grown up because I was 3-0...If I started off 0-3, everybody would be bringing [stuff] up from last year. I'm still the same person, I just know how to learn from my mistakes." (MiamiHerald)

No-Game Monday

Philly and the Mets play on the west Coast tonight.

(Yahoo)(ESPN)(Sportsline)(MLB)(FOX)(CNNSI)

Notes

Maddux really was mad yesterday - so mad that Andrew Miller didn't get a Maddux-signed baseball.

Luis continues to own Maddux.

Miller's mental game was to have no mental game - "I had to change my mentality a little bit … try to pull all the thoughts out of my head that had been running through there and just throw the ball. I was pressing a little bit mechanically and thinking I need to do this and do that. I think that was taking the life out of some pitches and it felt like I may be guiding it a little bit."

Speaking of mental - the Marlins' bullpen has officially been designated 'strange' by the Miami Herald.

Sunday's Game

Andrew Miller pitches for the Fish, and Greg Maddox (Mr. 349) for the Padres. Here's one hopeful sign: "Although Florida outfielder Luis Gonzalez is batting only .203 this season, he is a .318 career hitter versus Maddux with 10 homers in 110 at-bats. The 10 home runs are the most by any hitter against Maddux in his career."

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MAD-DUX: Miller pitches his best game and Greg heads directly for the tunnel as the Marlins do a number on him; the Fish ultimately beat the Padres 10-3. (Yahoo!)

Saturday's Game

One of the best strikeout pitchers in the league flings against one of the strike-outiest teams in the majors tonight.

At least one or two people had fun at last night's game.

Tonight it's more fun for Super Saturday, with rhythmic cowbell-banging provided by El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico.

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RECRAP: Peavy strikes out eight as the Padres win 7-2. (FOX!)

Woof

The Padres come to town on 'Bark in the Park' night. "Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids and $6 for dogs. Dog owners must show proof of proper vaccination." (Definitely some of these owners should be vaccinated.)

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WOOF-WOOF-AH-WOOOOO!!!: 754 dogs, Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson see the Marlins beat the Padres 6-4.

Bad News Friday

The Marlins slip into second place.

The Marlins' April run was a fluke, because they have the same problems as last year.

Lindstrom may have to sleep on the floor.

We sholdn't build a new ballpark if we can't buy gas and rice.

Bummer Game Today

It's a let's-salvage-a-win-in-this-series game this afternoon as Badenhop starts against Kuroda. Both pitchers were roughed up the last time out. The game won't be on local television.

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BUMMED: Fish lose 5-3. (FOX!)

Bucking the Trends Again

"In those baseball towns that are hurting most badly (from the economic hard times), at least as measured by home foreclosure rates, there's no sign at all that people have stopped going to games. If anything, the opposite is true...

Although the "Florida Marlins, who draw from hard-hit Miami and Fort Lauderdale, are the one team that's seen a really dramatic downturn this year, at 17.5%." (NYSun)

Potential Injury Update

Andrew's not worried about his knee, but the Marlins "are concerned enough to alter the right-hander's conditioning program." (PalmBeachPost)

And Lindstrom left last night's game "because of tightness in his lower back." (MiamiHerald)