Shea Goodbye
September 28, 2008 by Larry Walansky · Leave a Comment
The Marlins closed Shea Stadium and the Mets’ season with a 4-2 win on Sunday. The thrilling victory means the fish have eliminated the Mets from the playoffs two consecutive years at the now retired stadium. The Brewers won and clinched the wild-card sending the Mets home after another September collapse. Scott Olsen turned in a great effort and the pen did an even better job to secure the victory giving the Marlins 84 wins — the third most in franchise history only trailing 1997 and 2003.
Olsen worked six innings of two run ball, both runs coming on a Carlos Beltran homerun in the sixth frame. The lefty struck out four and walked one showing good poise in a pressure packed game. After Olsen exited, relievers Joe Nelson, Kevin Gregg, Arthur Rhodes and Matt Lindstrom combined on three innings of shutout ball. Lindstrom notched his fifth save of the year as he heads into the offseason with the closer’s job for 2009 most likely secured. The win was credited to Joe Nelson who finishes the year with a sparkling E.R.A. of 2.00.
The big hits for the Marlins came in the the eighth inning when pinch hitter Wes Helms and Dan Uggla hit back-to-back home runs. It was Helms’ fifth of the season, and Uggla’s 32nd blast. Hanley Ramirez was unable to start the game due to a sore shoulder and finishes with a .301 average. Jorge Cantu failed to connect on his 30th home run finishing the year with 29.
The Marlins head into the offseason now with a very impressive 84-78 season and will look to improve the roster going into 2009. The next regular season game is on April 6th, 2009 against the Washington Nationals.
Marlins Fall Flat
September 28, 2008 by Larry Walansky · Leave a Comment
The Marlins’ bats were silenced by the Mets on Saturday as Johan Santana tossed a 3 hit complete game shutout on short rest. With the win, the Mets moved back into a tie with the Brewers for the N.L. Wild-Card and can now possibly clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday. Ricky Nolaco started for the Marlins and tossed a fine game but was outdueled by this year’s potential Cy Young Winner, Santana.
Nolasco allowed two runs in seven innings of work, striking out ten while only walking one capping a fantastic 2008 season that saw him go 15-7 with a 3.52 E.R.A. After starting the year in the bullpen this season, Nolasco would appear destined to start on Opening Day in 2009. This year’s Opening Day starter, Mark Hendrickson threw one scoreless inning of relief to finish off the pitching side of things for the Marlins in this game. Jorge Cantu, Josh Willingham, and Cody Ross had the only three hits for the fish, with Willingham’s being a double and the only extra base hit on the day for the Marlins.
On Sunday, the Marlins will have a chance to knock the Mets out of the playoffs, or at least force them to play a one-game playoff on Monday depending on the result in Milwaukee. The Mets will send Oliver Perez to the mound. Starting for the Marlins in their final game of 2008 will be Scott Olsen.
