"Hanley Ramirez hasn't had a good season by any definition. But this much is becoming abundantly clear: From the standpoint of wins and losses, the Marlins are a much better team when he's in the lineup.

"He has an impact on everyone else," manager Jack McKeon said of Ramirez's influence on the rest of the lineup.

Ramirez wasn't in the lineup Monday for a fifth consecutive game because of a sprained left shoulder, and he said it could be a couple of more days before he is able to play.

That's not good news for the Marlins. Going into Monday's game against the Braves, they were 5-20 in games in which Ramirez did not start as opposed to 50-39 when he did.

During the St. Louis series, which resulted in a four-game Cardinals sweep, the Marlins' third, fourth and fifth hitters — Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez — went a combined 11 for 45 with only two RBI."