Tempers Flare in Win
August 31, 2008 by Larry Walansky · Leave a Comment
A day after another frustrating loss, the Marlins battled back and beat the New York Mets 4-3. The game featured a bench clearing moment when Cody Ross was hit by a pitch and took exception. No punches were thrown and no ejections took place but it brought to the forefront the frustrations the Marlins have felt over the past month in which they’ve been unable to string two wins together. Ricky Nolasco kept the Marlins in the game, which gave the team the chance to win on a bases loaded walk in the ninth.
Nolasco allowed three runs in six innings of work striking out eight while walking one to improve his already impressive strikeout to walk ratio. Nolasco was given a no decision in the game as the win was credited to Matt Lindstrom. Logan Kensing, Mark Hendrickson, and Lindstrom combined on three innings of shutout relief. Mike Jacobs hit his 27th home run of the game, a shot that tied the game in the eighth inning completing the Marlins comeback from being down 3-0 earlier in the game. In the ninth, the Marlins loaded the bases on three walks before the winning run was walked in.
On Sunday, the Marlins will try to win the series and win back-to-back games for the first time in a month when Scott Olsen takes on Pedro Martinez.
Blown Save Puts Fish Seven Back
August 30, 2008 by Larry Walansky · Leave a Comment
On Friday, the Marlins saw another game slip out of their hands when they fell 5-4 to the New York Mets in a game they needed to have. With the loss, the Marlins fell seven games off the pace in the National League East. The fish had a 2-1 lead entering the ninth before Kevin Gregg alowed a grand slam to Carlos Beltran to put the Mets ahead for good. It was Gregg’s ninth blown save of the season. Chris Volstad started the game and was in line for the win until the ninth inning collapse.
The rookie Volstad lasted six and one third innings in which he struck out five and walked three. Before Kevin Gregg’s blown save, the bull pen shut the Mets down for one and two thirds innings. Joe Nelson, Arthur Rhodes, and Matt Lindstrom were the relievers who pitched during that time. After the top of the ninth, the Marlins rallied for two runs but fell short by a run and left runners on second and third to end the game.
The Marlins will try to bounce back with a win on Saturday when they take on Mike Pelfrey who has had complete games in each of his last two starts. For the Marlins, ace Ricky Nolasco takes the mound.
