Marlins Give One Away (again)

Add another one to the "remember-these-losses-in-October" file. Despite Jorge Cantu's 2-run, lead claiming home run in the 8th, despite Wes Helms' game-saving play in the 10th, and even despite Cody Ross' RBI double in the 11th, the Marlins lost the opening game to the Rockies, 6-5.

A well pitched start from Andrew Miller will be forgotten (6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K), as it was the Fish-pen that lost this one. Relievers gave up lead off walks in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings. While able to wriggle out of trouble in the 9th and 10th, the Marlins came up just short of a miraculous escape in the 11th to fall 2.5 games back of the Phils. Kevin Gregg was the actual culprit who earned the loss, and I do mean earned. Following a leadoff walk, he follwed that up with a throwing error on a sac bunt attempt, a walk to load the bases, a grounder that was able to get the runner at home just to give us Fish fans a glimmer of hope, and then the game winning, 2 run single you knew was coming. If the Marlins hope to keep pace with the big boys, they're going to have to learn how to close games out. There have been far too many losses snatched from victory in the first half of the season.

An interesting side note; when Rockies' manager Clint Hurdle was asked on Tuesday how he would respond to increased criticism of the team, as expressed by e-mailers to newspapers, he responded with this: "Stop coming, then. That's the best statement you can make." How did the fans respond? They sold out the place tonight, 48,000+ ... against the Marlins.

Hey, Marlins fans, stop coming!

A Salute to You Group of Hardcore Marlins Fans at the Game Today

This is just a quick post dedicated to a group of roudy Marlins fans who were seated about 20 rows behind the plate at this evening's game against the Nats:

With the Marlins down 9-4 in the 8th inning and Mike Jacobs at the plate (who had a terrible game in every way), you took it upon yourselves to spark the crowd. You proceeded to chant Let's Go Marlins!!! repeatedly, non-stop, without hesitation, for the entire at-bat which went to a 3-2 count where Jacobs inevitably struck out.

First of all, this was not a short at-bat, at least 5 minutes long. Secondly, not another soul in the entire stadium joined in on your rant, but you continued to cheer, tirelessly, without any indication of humiliation. Thirdly, no Marlins fan was the slightest bit excited at this point in the game, but for some reason you believed this to be a pivotal time with no one on base down 9-4. You had made hardly a peep until that point, even when the Marlins were rallying (Alcohol may have been a factor). And, lastly, you had the rugged, irritating, dirty-sounding voice that all-together resulted in a cacophony of ugly yelling.

Your dedication will not be forgotten.

How About a Broom?

Just when the Phillies were on the verge of pulling away in the standings, once again the Marlins rise to the occasion and play some of their best ball of the season. Last night's dramatic win with Uggla's walk-off grand slam sets up a very unlikely scenario, a Marlins sweep of a 3-game series over the Phillies. The last time that happened? A 4-game sweep July 26-29, 2004 at home.

Speaking of unlikely scenarios, how about the Marlins leading the Major Leagues in homeruns, once again poised to climb to only one game out of first place in mid-June, Jorge Cantu posting better numbers at this point in the season than Miguel Cabrera, Andrew Miller pitching brilliantly against a potent Phillies offense while Dontrelle Willis joins the single A Lakeland Tigers of the Florida State League with an ERA of over 10, and the Mets at 2 games under .500, the Yankees at an even .500, with the Marlins at 7 games over?

When I was sitting in the stands on Tuesday night, surrounded by Phillies fans on the third base side just above the visitors' dugout, it seemed very unlikely that by Thursday night I might be back at the stadium thinking about a sweep. So when I head out to the game tonight, I would be bringing a broom along if they let me, but they don't even allow umbrellas let alone brooms at Dolphin Stadium. Nonetheless, I wish there would be a large proactive crowd of fans there tonight to watch the possible unfolding of another championship year, long before the thousands of latecomers join the bandwagon in September. At least I can count on the Sign Guy in my section supporting the Marlins through thick and thin, even if surrounded by a sea of red.

It may be June, and it may be way too early to hope, but that is what going to a baseball game is all about. Dreams and possibilities, unlikely heroes, and lots of food (even junk food) for thought and discussion. That is also what this blog site is all about! Maybe I'll try to sneak in a broom.

More Good Marlins News

This story is slightly outdated, so I apologize for that in advance. I planned to post about it this weekend...I forgot. Sorry.

Anyway, it's still worth evaluating three days later. According to Fish Stripes, the Marlins' TV ratings are absolutely soaring. Friday's Marlins-Phillies game had the highest TV rating in two years (which was a September playoff-like game), and the Marlins are consistently in the middle of the pack this year.

Here's what this means to me:

1. Fan interest is definitely out there.

2. With the new stadium, maybe some of these people will actually attend the games.

3. Are some of these people purposely not going to the games out of protest? I think so.

4. The general South Florida sports media needs to pay WAY more attention to the Marlins. They should be a much more prominent story than Bill Parcells or Jason Taylor. That's the problem.

Either way, I'm very encouraged by the recent surge. The Marlins could have a prosperous future here, after all.

Loyal Fans Rewarded With Two Wins

It was seven hours of baseball, more than eight in real time. It began with searing heat, was interluded with torrential rain, and finished with two comeback wins for the Fish.

As the day progressed the crowd dwindled, but for those who remained throughout, it couldn't have been a more rewarding experience.

The day was a microcosm of the Marlins' season to date. Shaky but serviceable starting pitching, a lights-out bullpen, some serious long ball and hard fought wins. All in front of energetic fans, that as JSponge described, were surely in baseball heaven.

As John Cansella might have asked at some point on Sunday: "Is this heaven?"

No John, it's a mostly-empty football stadium in Miami Gardens.

But, who cares how many people were there? The ones that were, wanted to be. They showed their appreciation by demanding three (THREE!) curtain calls. Dan Uggla, Cody Ross and Jorge Cantu found out first-hand how loud and passionate Marlins fans are.

Most importantly, everyone at the stadium yesterday realized how fun this season is going to be and the love affair that is percolating between this team and its fans.