Mucked-up Marlins @ Soxed Rays 6/17-6/19

[Tobywan]

Probables

Kid Hand VS WD40

Nolasco VS Cobb (his last start before Niemann is activated)

Volstad VS Juego G



Heading down in a bit for tonight’s game.


Oh boy, basically the fish are just a mess, losing 7 straight and 18 of the last 21, though they took the last series against the Rays in South Florida. The Rays still trying to get their footing back after a miserable road trip and a series loss to the division rival Red Sox.

Davis hasn’t been the guy given the big contract last season, though he is “improving”. The Marlins have the youngster Brad Hand making his third start. The only Rays he has faced was Longo during his rehab stint for the Biscuits, Evan drew a walk and hit a homer.

Not quite a big of a return as CC, but “specialist” Randy Choate makes his first appearance back at the Trop.


The Marlins hold the highest winning percentage (.544) among all NL teams during IL with a 129-108 record.

Promos for this weekend, I don't think there is a concert this Sat.



Sunday for the kiddies.

[Tobywan]

It’s always fun to go to the Trop when they win. Crowd was a little subdued, but some of the season tickets holders around me said they were a bit hoarse from the Sox series, cause it was a decent crowd for a Marlins game, but quiet.

In BP Mike Stanton hit a ball off the clock above the restaurant in center field about as far as you can go.

What an awesome night for SRod, 2-4 with 4 ribbies. Davis pitched better than I have seen so far this season, hopefully he keeps it up, specially with his BFF Niemann coming back soon.

Marlins manager Rodriguez was tossed in the 8th when Sean hit a liner on the right field foul line and a fan reached over the wall in the bullpen café and snatched the ball thinking it should have been a ground rule double. The umpires ruled Longoria was already around third when interference took place. The replays indicate that was the case. It happened right in front of me and the fan was also tossed even though he was part of a group in that party section.


Today’s match up..

This will be Cobb’s last start as Niemann is schedule to be activated by the time the Rays leave for Milwaukee. He pitched well in the loss to Detroit on Monday.


Nolasco had a rough start against the DBacks allowing 9 runs, 5 earned on 8 hits after starting out the season hot and has spiraled just as the rest of the team.

[Tobywan]

The Rays gave Alex Cobb a very nice bon voyage party, giving him some run support and a second wind. Much of it coming from the back end of the order and also the flashing gloves of the infield.
Fuld helping out as a part timer now, Brignac seems to be finding his swing and we seems to finally have that regularly productive DH, who made a litle history last night.

JD became the 11th player to have 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 home runs and 2,500 hits. Another hit later tied him for72nd place on the career hits list with 2,646.

The Marlins misery seemed to be summed up in one horrid infield play by Dobbs, a routine pop up fly off Joyce even a rookie A ball kid should be able to grab and it was dropped scoring 2 more runs for the Rays. They have now lost 17 of the last 18.

Todays match ups...

Shields had a good outing against Boston an even better one the last time he faced the Marlins. They were both shut outs.

Volstad gave up eight runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings in a 9-1 loss in Philly.

[Tobywan]

I won't rub in the sweep with a broom, the Marlins are already on the floor. The Rays need every win though trying to keep on the heels of the Yanks and Sox. Another complete game for Shields, he should be a lock to get picked for the ALL-Star team.

[Tobywan]