The Miami Marlins lost Saturday’s game to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in what was the warmest game in Marlins history. The temperature at first pitch of 106 degrees culminated a stretch of triple digit games. The loss ended a three game winning streak for Miami and came on a day that the team announced Giancarlo Stanton will miss 4-6 weeks. The Marlins’ slugger will undergo surgery on his right knee on Sunday morning and has been removed from the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
Carlos Zambrano who has had tremendous success in St. Louis during his career took the loss to fall to 4-7. The heat may have taken it’s toll on Zambrano as he appeared to labor through five innings allowing seven hits and walking two in only five innings of work. It took Zambrano 102 pitches to get the five innings in before he exited in favor of the bullpen. Wade LeBlanc worked the last three innings to give the pen a much needed break. LeBlanc who was recently promoted from AAA allowed only a hit in three innings and struck out four.
Stanton started the game but exited after one at-bat with discomfort in his knee, he was replaced by pinch-hitter Scott Cousins. With Stanton out, the Marlins will look to Emilio Bonifacio to return to the form he had before landing on the disabled list. Bonifacio is expected to return following the All-Star Break and will take Stanton’s roster spot. Justin Ruggiano’s breakout season continued with his sixth home run, a two run blast.
On Sunday, the Marlins will wrap up the first half with a scheduled pitching matchup of Joe Kelly and Anibal Sanchez.
About Larry Walansky
