March 23, 200422 yr Extra work pays off for Gonzalez By Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Monday, March 22, 2004 JUPITER -- Alex Gonzalez's session with hitting coach Bill Robinson on Saturday worked, at least in the short term. The struggling Marlins shortstop was 2-for-3 and drove in Florida's lone run in a 9-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium. Gonzalez, who entered hitting.107 (3-for-28) this spring, and Robinson skipped the trip to Melbourne the previous day to work in the batting cage. "I saw the ball very good," Gonzalez said. "I've got to keep working on it and get ready for the season.'' Robinson said he worked on Gonzalez's "setup.'' Gonzalez also said he talked to special assistant Tony Perez about using his hands more during his swing. "I'm a big believer in the setup, the stance,'' Robinson said. "I thought it was different than what he was doing last year.'' Gonzalez hit.256 last season with 18 home runs and 77 RBI, but hit just.208 after the All-Star break and.161 in the post-season. Robinson's sessions with Gonzalez can be a little challenging. "Alex is a different kind of a person,'' Robinson said. "Sometimes I'll talk to him and he's staring out into space, but he's listening. I'll say, 'Look at me a little, let me see a little eye contact.' " Out with the Neu? Pitcher Michael Neu hurt his chances of filling one of the four spots available in the bullpen by allowing nine hits and six runs (five earned) Sunday. "He didn't miss many bats,'' Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. Justin Wayne, who started Sunday's game, shut out the Mets for four innings, allowing two hits. Wayne and Neu are among the eight pitchers in the competition. Wayne started the main game to get some work against quality hitters so the staff can better evaluate the contenders. As a result, Carl Pavano started the minor-league game against the Mets' Class AAA affiliate Norfolk. Pavano allowed two hits and one earned run in a 9-2 victory. He threw 81 pitches. Tommy Phelps will start Wednesday's game against St. Louis with Dontrelle Willis starting the minor-league game. World Series rematch: A rematch of Game 6 of the World Series will take place today at Roger Dean Stadium as Florida's Josh Beckett faces the Astros' Andy Pettitte. Beckett and Pettitte were the pitchers of record in the Series-clinching game in New York with Beckett beating Pettitte, 2-0. Pettitte signed with the Houston Astros in the off-season. Attendance up: Sunday's game marked the second sellout of the spring (7,951) for the Marlins. With seven home dates remaining, attendance is up 42 percent over the same time a year ago. Florida's game against the Red Sox on Sunday is close to a sellout. Officials expect only tickets on the outfield berm will remain. Proud parents: Cassie Phelps, the wife of Tommy Phelps, gave birth to the couple's second child, Lucas William, early Sunday. The baby weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches. Spring shape: With two weeks remaining before opening day, McKeon said his starters are ready. "All these guys are in pretty good shape, they're ready to start the season right now,'' McKeon said. "Now I'm going to slack off a little bit and give them a breather. We've got them to the point where we want them. Now it's maintaining it.'' McKeon said most of his starters will play every other day for the next week. tom_dangelo@pbpost.com Article
March 23, 200422 yr Author Let's hope it pays off and he gets off to a good start like last year. If I were Robinson, I'd have him take an hour of batting practice everyday until it becomes natural.
March 23, 200422 yr Author Out with the Neu? Pitcher Michael Neu hurt his chances of filling one of the four spots available in the bullpen by allowing nine hits and six runs (five earned) Sunday. "He didn't miss many bats,'' Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. :banghead
March 23, 200422 yr Neu has been wild from what I've seen. Oh well, I have tons of confidence in Blaine.
March 23, 200422 yr That is one game for A Gon. He has to be more consistent on offense, plain and simple. Why dont they teach this guy to bunt?
March 23, 200422 yr That is one game for A Gon. He has to be more consistent on offense, plain and simple. Why dont they teach this guy to bunt? im guessing because hes not fast enough.
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