Posted April 14, 200519 yr comment_473334 One aspect in today's game that was absent in the previous 8 has gone unheralded......the team was able to scratch out 4 runs....the return of small ball, and timely hitting. Castillo bunts his way on in the first and advances to 3rd on a throwing error. Cabrera hits a sacrifice fly to score him. In the second Easley doubles with two outs and Treanor singles to drive him in. Conine doubles with two out sin the 4th and Easley singles to drive him in. Nice to see the reserves contributing! In the 8th Pierre gets a lead off single. Castillo advances him to 3rd by hitting it through the hole into RF. Cabrera sacrifices to score Pierre from 3rd. Good stuff. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473335 I think its great to see some of the small ball back. Last year, most teams knew what the Marlins were going to do and the small ball wasn't nearly as effective as in '03. Hope to see more of it as the season continues. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473335 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473336 Great post PB. You've identified what was missing and what has been so frustrating in a number of games this season. Homeruns are great but bringing that guy home from third with a sacrifice is the way this or any other team needs to execute if they want to contend. It pleased me no end to see the Fish score the way they did today, especially when you consider the number of bench players in the lineup. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473337 Plus it brought us a World Championship two years ago. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. :mischief Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473337 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473338 I completely agree. I've been mentioning it in the game threads--and not just the runs scored and timely hits, but what about the mentality of the players. I've seen everyone try to go the other way at least once with the man on second or third. They know that the runner must advance, and hitting to Right Field is something that I'm sure Bill and Jack instill into the players. Miguel has a knack for opposite field hitting, as does Castillo. Lowell can do it when need-be, and it seems like Encarnacion is developing that skill as well (nice to see!). It's all about patience, and knowing the game situation. Too many times, players will go up thinking about just getting on base any way possible. That's nice and all, but with situational hitting, you don't necessarily need to get on base--just advance the runner with a sac fly or bunt. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473338 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473339 I was suprised to see the Bass dropping down good bunts. Wasn't something he did a lot of last year. If someone could teach Delgado push one down the 3B line when that shift is on......that shift would start disapearing and he'd have more holes. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473339 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473340 The other day after being shut down again, I came on and said that they needed to get back to small ball and it was great to see that back yesterday, along with the D-train being lights out. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473340 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473341 If someone could teach Delgado push one down the 3B line when that shift is on......that shift would start disapearing and he'd have more holes. 741673[/snapback] We didn't sign Delgado to bunt. If you want him to get rid of the shift, teach him to hit to the opposite field, not bunt. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473341 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473342 Any way you score runs helps. It's good to see the Marlins have balanced out the offense. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473342 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473343 If someone could teach Delgado push one down the 3B line when that shift is on......that shift would start disapearing and he'd have more holes. 741673[/snapback] We didn't sign Delgado to bunt. If you want him to get rid of the shift, teach him to hit to the opposite field, not bunt. 741695[/snapback] He already knows how to hit to the opposite field and has done so for years but pitchers, especially in games where the shift is employed, have been busting him down and inside, making it impossible for him to hit the other way (can't extend his arms). Once Lowell and Cabrera become more consistent on-base threats this will stop. Frankly I'm amazed he's hitting for the high average he is considering how he's been pitched. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473343 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473344 If someone could teach Delgado push one down the 3B line when that shift is on......that shift would start disapearing and he'd have more holes. 741673[/snapback] We didn't sign Delgado to bunt. If you want him to get rid of the shift, teach him to hit to the opposite field, not bunt. 741695[/snapback] He already knows how to hit to the opposite field and has done so for years but pitchers, especially in games where the shift is employed, have been busting him down and inside, making it impossible for him to hit the other way (can't extend his arms). Once Lowell and Cabrera become more consistent on-base threats this will stop. Frankly I'm amazed he's hitting for the high average he is considering how he's been pitched. 741728[/snapback] Meh..9 games Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473344 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473345 If someone could teach Delgado push one down the 3B line when that shift is on......that shift would start disapearing and he'd have more holes. 741673[/snapback] We didn't sign Delgado to bunt. If you want him to get rid of the shift, teach him to hit to the opposite field, not bunt. 741695[/snapback] He already knows how to hit to the opposite field and has done so for years but pitchers, especially in games where the shift is employed, have been busting him down and inside, making it impossible for him to hit the other way (can't extend his arms). Once Lowell and Cabrera become more consistent on-base threats this will stop. Frankly I'm amazed he's hitting for the high average he is considering how he's been pitched. 741728[/snapback] Rich Waltz had a good story. he said that when Delgado was a kid, him and his father used to go out to a field or whatever they had, and his dad threw him a bucket of balls and carlos would hit. his dad told him, if you pull the b all, you get the balls, if you hit it opposite field, i'll get the balls.. hence, where he learned to go oppo POST NUMBER 500! WOOT Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 14, 200519 yr comment_473346 I wouldnt really qualify doubles a single small ball... Bunting, stealing, sac flies moving runners over are the more primary small ball fundamentals. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/27335-a-positive-development/?&do=findComment&comment=473346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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