Rotation is Marlin's sore spot

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...0,7691173.story

Rotation sore spot in Marlins first half

Injuries, inconsistency stymie progress for young starters

BY JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

July 13, 2007

MIAMI GARDENS

The Marlins absorbed major hits in losing three of last year's four rookie starting pitchers during the first half of this season.

The resulting patchwork has produced what statistically might be one of the worst starting rotations in franchise history.

At their current pace, the starters will finish with a 47-56 record and 4.76 ERA. Only the 1998 and 1999 clubs at 5.40 and 4.80, respectively, had poorer marks. This group also projects to be just the second rotation in team history to allow more than 10 hits and four walks per nine innings.

Perhaps the most troubling trend of all: Marlins starters are averaging 5.5 innings per outing. Over 162 games, that amounts to 884 innings, which would be the second-lowest total in franchise history.

"We've had to move some things around to get guys in the right spot," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said as the Marlins prepared to open the second half tonight against the Nationals. "We've always had to fill that hole because somebody wasn't there. When you have to start doing that instead of giving guys the extra day ? last year we were afforded that. Now we have, he's available to pitch, so he's going to pitch. It would be nice to get into that routine of getting five guys and going."

That's what the Marlins were able to do last season, when they used nine starters, including the same six from July 5 through season's end. By June 18 this year they had already used nine starters.

Dontrelle Willis and Scott Olsen both have left games after one inning due to injuries. Sergio Mitre, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez have spent time on the disabled list. Sanchez is done for the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Mitre's won-loss record isn't the best barometer due to poor run support, but he has been the most consistent and successful starter. Even with Willis and Olsen making 19 starts apiece, this rotation still ranks as one of National League's most ineffective.

Only the Cardinals (22), Nationals (23) and Reds (25) starters have fewer wins. Only the Nationals (464 2/3 ) and Cardinals (476 1/3 ) rotations have totaled fewer innings than the Marlins' 485 2/3 .

The result is one of the NL's most taxed bullpens. Marlins relievers have logged 312 1/3 innings, second to the Nationals' 321 1/3 .

"That's basically why we were as successful as we were last year, because we were going six, seven innings," Kranitz said. "Any time you do that the bullpen falls into place. The bullpen has been overworked because of the injuries and guys not pitching quite as well. Those guys have to do it, and they're certainly capable of it."

Through the first 89 games of 2006, Marlins starters had completed seven or more innings 32 times. At the same point this season that figure is 15.

"All we need to focus on is shaking hands [after the game]," Willis said. "Of course, everybody wants to go nine. That's my plan. I've been going six-, seven-plus and I've been losing, and I'm not happy about that. I want to have great stats and all that, but the biggest stat I'm most impressed about is when I start does my team win? Bottom line, we have to find a way to win ballgames, whether it's 9-8 or 1-0."

At some point the Marlins should have a rotation of Willis, Mitre, Olsen, Johnson and Nolasco in place. Johnson (forearm tightness) isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until a week from today. Nolasco (elbow inflammation) is on the 60-day disabled list and eligible to come off any time after Tuesday.

"With J.J., I just want him to be healthy for his own psyche and go from there," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I don't think we want to put that kind of pressure on those guys and say, 'Oh, we have to wait for you two guys to come.'

"It may not even happen this year, but it will happen. We'll have our guys healthy, maybe just for a month and a half. What doesn't kill us will make us better."

BOONE SETBACK

Aaron Boone suffered a setback in his comeback from a left knee injury Thursday. During batting practice at Dolphin Stadium, Boone slipped between second and third and could barely walk off the field....

Olsen, who left Sunday's start after one inning due to upper back stiffness, completed a bullpen session Thursday and remains on track to start Sunday's series finale against the Nationals.