May 9, 200422 yr By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com? ? Armando Benitez has been dominant in his new surroundings. (Alan Diaz/AP)? MIAMI -- After notching his 12th save of the season on Friday, Marlins closer Armando Benitez remained tied for 30th on the all-time list. Ironically, Benitez entered Saturday even with former Marlin Ugueth Urbina, who also has 209 career saves. Urbina, a big part of last year's World Series team, logged a save on Friday for the Tigers. Benitez has adequately replaced Urbina, and has been one of the Marlins' top acquisitions and most consistent performers. He's converted 12 of 13 save opportunities while not surrendering an earned run since Opening Day. "I just try to continue and get those opportunities," Benitez said. In the midst of a comeback season after a difficult 2003 with the Mets, Yankees and Mariners, Benitez has been a workhorse. The Marlins tried to give him a day off on Wednesday, but he refused. "I don't need an off day," he said. "I know my body, and I know my situation. I know the opportunity to do my work. I've got my program." Benitez has impressed the team with an impressive workout regime. "He's having fun right now," pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said. "He loves the guys on this team and he loves being here. He's a great guy. He makes me laugh every day." Benitez arrives at the park not long after center fielder Juan Pierre. He commonly interacts with his teammates, playing cards in the clubhouse and doing all his pregame work in diligent fashion. Each day in the bullpen, he fields comeback grounders hit to him by bullpen coach Tony Taylor. He rides the stationary bike and does a stretching routine with strength and conditioning director Paul Fournier. He also throws long tosses with fellow reliever Matt Perisho. "We wanted to give him a day off," Rosenthal said. "He tells me that he will let me know when he needs one." I say he's been electric other than that one blown save he has. As long as he doesnt have questionable relationships with any of our catchers, Im Happy. Here's The Link It also notes Burnett's performance, and the lineup move by mckeon of moving cabs to 5th.
May 9, 200422 yr That one blown save wasn't really because of the Dodgers hitting too. It was because he messed up the throw so though he DID blow it, he still 0wnZ hitterZ.
May 9, 200422 yr Author That one blown save wasn't really because of the Dodgers hitting too. It was because he messed up the throw so though he DID blow it, he still 0wnZ hitterZ. No doubt. Give him the ball, tell him what you want done with it, and he'll try his best to do it.
May 9, 200422 yr Author I knew he would be a good pickup. It's great to have Looper gone. Looper was giving me a headache everytime he came in.
May 9, 200422 yr I am so happy we got Benitez...he is a lot better than Looper! And I knew that he was a lot better than NY thought he was...and I knew that he would have a much easier time pitching here because he has a lot less pressure...He scared me a little the first time he pitched when he gave up a home run to Vidro to make it a one run game...and he blew one save but overall he has been great!
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver.
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself nope its just that Justin has been doing great and he would pitch more if he was a starter since starts are more involved in a game and I would rather have Justin more involved in a game than Oliver.
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself nope its just that Justin has been doing great and he would pitch more if he was a starter since starts are more involved in a game and I would rather have Justin more involved in a game than Oliver. but they only pitch once every 5 days reliever are more like 2 to 3 times every 5 days
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself nope its just that Justin has been doing great and he would pitch more if he was a starter since starts are more involved in a game and I would rather have Justin more involved in a game than Oliver. but they only pitch once every 5 days reliever are more like 2 to 3 times every 5 days yeah...but in the end the starters pitch more than the relievers...even though the relievers pitch in more games...and whenever Oliver pitches as a starter...we dont have a chance a lot of the times...if he was a reliever than we would be able to take him out right away if he starts doing bad...
May 9, 200422 yr so let me get this straight...... Brad Penny goes 7 innings..... you could have Darren Oliver or Justin Wayne pitch the 8th.... you want Oliver so that Wayne can pitch tomorrow? oh yea, we have a 1 run lead
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself nope its just that Justin has been doing great and he would pitch more if he was a starter since starts are more involved in a game and I would rather have Justin more involved in a game than Oliver. Justin has not been that successful as a starter. He is quickly learning his best contribution is in the BP.
May 9, 200422 yr so let me get this straight...... Brad Penny goes 7 innings..... you could have Darren Oliver or Justin Wayne pitch the 8th.... you want Oliver so that Wayne can pitch tomorrow? oh yea, we have a 1 run lead I wouldnt put Oliver in to pitch in that type of situation...I would prob. put him in to face a lefty only because hes a lefty....but I wouldnt let him pitch that much in that type of situation... I really want to get rid of Oliver...but if we dont get rid of him than we might aswell atleast send him to the bullpen instead of letting him start.
May 9, 200422 yr Justin Wayne=good reliever. But I think we should put him in the starting rotation in place of Oliver. you pretty much contradicted yourself nope its just that Justin has been doing great and he would pitch more if he was a starter since starts are more involved in a game and I would rather have Justin more involved in a game than Oliver. Justin has not been that successful as a starter. He is quickly learning his best contribution is in the BP. Just because he didnt do good as a start before dosent mean that he wont do good as a starter now... the point is that he is a much better pitcher than he was before...so he would be a good starter now even though he wasnt before.
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