Marlins News

Florida Marlins trade Jeremy Hermida to Red Sox
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November 6
Miami Herald
 
"When Jeremy Hermida hit the stage with the biggest bang possible, blasting a pinch-hit grand slam in his first major league at bat, most nodded in knowing approval. Hermida, after all, was a prized prospect the Marlins had been raving about, a can't-miss first round draft pick with one of the slickest swings in the sport. But after waiting five years for an encore that never occurred, the Marlins on Thursday traded Hermida to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of young, left-handed pitchers. It was a move that surprised no one. ``I figured a trade was going to happen,'' Hermida said shortly after being told he had been dealt. ``It was just when and where.'' With the moratorium on major ..."
Marlins trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida
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November 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Jeremy Hermida had no illusions about his future with the Florida Marlins. That didn't deaden the shock of getting traded. Thursday, the Marlins sent Hermida to the Boston Red Sox for a pair of left-handers, including South Floridian Hunter Jones. A product of Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens and Florida State, Jones made his major league debut last season and is now a Marlin along with Class-A swingman Jose Alvarez. "It came out of nowhere," said Hermida, the Marlins' first round pick (11th overall) in 2002. "I figured it was coming, but you're never quite ready for that day." One of the club's more polarizing figures since a splashy September 2005 debut, Hermida never fully ..."
Hermida brings his promise to Fenway outfield
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November 6
Boston Globe
 
"Jeremy Hermida's first at-bat in the major leagues produced a grand slam. He was 21 at the time, and the Florida Marlins thought they had a player worthy of building a team around. That was five seasons ago. Yesterday, the Marlins grew tired of waiting and traded Hermida to the Red Sox for lefthanders Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. "This was not a blockbuster,'' Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "This was a value trade, a chance to get a guy with unfulfilled potential at a reasonable cost.''"
Ex-Marlin Jeremy Hermida reeled in by Red Sox
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November 6
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox made what general manager Theo Epstein called a "value trade" in acquiring 25-year-old outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins in exchange for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez yesterday. The 11th overall pick in 2002, Hermida's abilities have yet to develop to the Marlins' expectations. In addition, there was the potential for his $2.25 million salary in 2009 to increase in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The Red Sox, meanwhile, feel this could be Hermida's time and place. "Hermida's the kind of player who hasn't fulfilled his potential yet," Epstein said. "We acquired him for a reasonable cost to see if he can fulfill his potential for us. There's a ..."
Marlins hire former Washington Nationals pitching coach
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October 27
Palm Beach Post
 
"The Florida Marlins, who earlier this month dropped pitching coach Mark Wiley, have a replacement. Randy St. Claire, who was fired June 1 as pitching coach for Washington, will take over for Wiley, a source said this morning. St. Claire, 49, had been pitching coach for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals for six-plus seasons."
Marlins' opening interests Peterson
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October 16
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Rick Peterson is primed for a return to the majors. Could his next pitching coach job be with the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now!? Reached earlier this week, Peterson wouldn't reveal whether the Marlins were among the teams he's spoken with so far. He did say the job would appeal to him. "I'm definitely interested," said Peterson, who was not on a major league staff in 2009. "No question about it. I think they can win and I think they can win very soon. With their young pitching, obviously you have to keep them healthy and get a little more production out of them. That's pretty much been my track record in my career." Peterson has some familiarity with the Marlins from his days with ..."
Court rejects Braman's Florida Marlins stadium appeal
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October 15
Miami Herald
 
"Auto tycoon Norman Braman's Quixotic struggle to stop local leaders from investing hundreds of millions of public dollars in a stadium for the Florida Marlins might have gasped its last breath on Wednesday. With a single-word opinion -- ``affirmed'' -- the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a lower-court judge's decision last year that shot down all seven claims in Braman's suit. ``Today's ruling ensures that we will continue to move forward in a positive direction, creating opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors,'' Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, the stadium's chief political backer, said after the ruling. Among other things, Braman wanted to force a referendum ..."
Marlins' manager Fredi Gonzalez safe; pitching, infield coaches out
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October 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Turns out Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! manager Fredi Gonzalez performed well enough to keep his job. The same can't be said for pitching coach Mark Wiley and infield coach Andy Fox. Tuesday, the Marlins announced neither Wiley nor Fox would return to their positions. The others - bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley, third base/outfield coach Bo Porter, bullpen coach Steve Foster and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault - have been offered contracts for 2010. Though Gonzalez signed an extension that takes him through 2011, the Marlins left him in limbo at season's end. Late Saturday, a report surfaced they had discussions with Bobby Valentine about a job, ..."
Fredi Gonzalez will return in 2010; two Marlins coaches, however, will not be back
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October 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Turns out Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! manager Fredi Gonzalez performed well enough to keep his job. The same can't be said for pitching coach Mark Wiley and infield coach Andy Fox. Tuesday, the Marlins announced neither Wiley nor Fox would return to their positions. The others — bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley, third base/outfield coach Bo Porter, bullpen coach Steve Foster and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault — have been offered contracts for 2010. Though Gonzalez signed an extension that takes him through 2011, the Marlins left him in limbo at season's end. Late Saturday, a report surfaced they had discussions with Bobby Valentine about a job, which ..."
Marlins' manager Fredi Gonzalez safe; pitching, infield coaches out
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October 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Turns out Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! manager Fredi Gonzalez performed well enough to keep his job. The same can't be said for pitching coach Mark Wiley and infield coach Andy Fox. Tuesday, the Marlins announced neither Wiley nor Fox would return to their positions. The others - bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley, third base/outfield coach Bo Porter, bullpen coach Steve Foster and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault - have been offered contracts for 2010. Though Gonzalez signed an extension that takes him through 2011, the Marlins left him in limbo at season's end. Late Saturday, a report surfaced they had discussions with Bobby Valentine about a job, ..."
Sources: Marlins keeping Gonzalez
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October 6
ESPN.com
 
"Fredi Gonzalez will return as the Florida Marlins manager in 2010, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. An announcement from the team was expected later Tuesday. Gonzalez's job was considered in jeopardy because owner Jeffrey Loria was upset that the Marlins failed to make the playoffs, although they finished 12 games above .500 with the smallest payroll in baseball. Loria met with organization officials Monday in New York to discuss the status of Gonzalez and his coaching staff. Earlier this week, sources said Bobby Valentine had been in communication with the Marlins and other teams as he pursues a possible return to managing in the major leagues. Gonzalez, who is under ..."
Florida Marlins 2009 season wrapup
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October 6
Miami Herald
 
"1 Remember in spring training when some people were writing that the Marlins had perhaps one of the top three or four starting rotations in the majors? The Red Sox had a better one. The Yankees. And then you had to start considering the Marlins. Whoa Nellie! Turned out that rotation wasn't at all what it was cracked up to be. Opening Day starter Ricky Nolasco got off to such a lousy beginning that the Marlins eventually whisked him off to the minors. Chris Volstad folded like a cheap tent late in the season. Anibal Sanchez and Andrew Miller contributed all of seven wins. The starting staff's ERA in 2008 was 4.56. In 2009, it was 4.57, ranking 10th in the NL. 2 Resorting to players such as ..."
Florida Marlins manager's status in limbo
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October 6
Miami Herald
 
"Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez and his coaching staff remained in a state of uncertainty Monday as team owner Jeffrey Loria met with front office executives in New York to discuss their futures. The Marlins finished with an 87-75 record, good for second in the National League East. But Loria was upset that the club failed to make the playoffs following a season that team executives called ``disappointing.'' Amid reports that former major-league manager Bobby Valentine had been in contact with the team to discuss a job, Marlins president David Samson on Sunday could not definitively say Gonzalez would return next season. New York's Newsday reported Monday that Valentine had spoken ..."
Marlins should keep Fredi Gonzalez, fire Jeffrey Loria
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October 6
Miami Herald
 columnist Greg Cote
"Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez is being evaluated as we speak by Jeffrey Loria and his lieutenants at the club owner's New York digs. It seems only fair that Loria might also be under evaluation -- preferably by doctors probing whether he is mentally fit to run a major-league ballclub in light of apparent new evidence to the contrary. The reports that overachieving manager Fredi Gonzalez might be fired by Loria begs that a rule be passed immediately allowing owners to be fired instead. I will make that motion on behalf of Marlins fans and sanity. (I think I'll have no problem hearing a second from fans of any number of franchises run ineptly, perhaps led by the Los Angeles Clippers). The ..."
Loria's wrong if he thinks Gonzalez is to blame
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October 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 columnist Dave Hyde
"The damage is done. Fredi Gonzalez is tainted goods already. And here's what I don't get: How does Gonzalez get singled out for the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! missing the playoffs? If owner Jeffrey Loria follows this kind of logic, he should fire President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest, too. Fire Beinfest first, actually. Beinfest is only one of the smarter minds in the game. But he didn't consider this enough of a playoff contender to trade for pitching help when that was needed. He stuck Emilio Bonifacio at the top of the order for nearly two empty months. He swung and missed on a trade of Hall of Fame talent Miguel Cabrera that has so far yielded reliever Burke ..."
2009 Marlins miss opportunity to make playoffs
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October 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"A batting champion. Four hitters with 90 or more RBI. Three relievers with 70 or more appearances. Maybe even the National League Rookie of the Year. All the Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now!' individual accomplishments amounted to a failure in the view of owner Jeffrey Loria and the front office. Second place in the NL East, 87 wins, but no postseason. "We were purely too inconsistent in my opinion this year to make it," President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said. "I don't want to sound like we're terribly disappointed or unhappy because that's not the case. You never want to be satisfied not making it. We want to make the playoffs. I guess we just came up short. We ..."
Florida Marlins' Chris Coghlan caps a stellar season
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October 5
Palm Beach Post
 
"Chris Coghlan will go hunting in Kansas in a few days. His teammates hopes he bags a bigger trophy in November - the National League Rookie of the Year award. "I'm honored to be in the same sentence as that," Coghlan said after going 3-for-5 in Florida's 7-6 season-ending loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. He finished the season with a .321 batting average, good enough for sixth in the National League. "It's something I would like to win. It's not in my hands. If I did, I'd have a lot of people to thank for it." Coghlan finished with 113 hits since the All-Star break, tying him with Juan Pierre (2004) for the Marlins' record. "I would vote for him just because of his last two months, ..."
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez's job could be in jeopardy
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October 5
Palm Beach Post
 
"Asked about the Marlins finishing the season with the third-best record in franchise history, manager Fredi Gonzalez said Sunday: "You know what - 87 wins, in this division, that's not too shabby." But it might not be enough for him to keep his job because owner Jeffrey Loria was angry that his club didn't make the playoffs. The front office declined Sunday to confirm that Gonzalez would return in 2010. He is under contract for two more seasons. "You get judged on wins and losses and not making the playoffs," Gonzalez said after a season-ending, 7-6 loss to Philadelphia. "We'll know more by the end of the week, I guess." Bobby Valentine, who formerly managed the New York Mets and Texas ..."
Florida Marlins' season reaches end with extra-inning loss
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October 5
Miami Herald
 
"Wes Helms stretched his arm and body as far as he possibly could. But he couldn't come up with Paul Hoover's soft liner, which glanced off the third baseman's glove for the game-ending hit. That's how the season ended Sunday for the Marlins, with a 7-6 setback to the Phillies in 10 innings. With the loss, the Marlins finished with the third-best record in franchise history at 87-75. The Marlins also finished in sole possession of second place in the National League East. Dan Uggla likely was appearing in his final game for the Marlins. With his salary expected to approach $8 million next season, the slugging second baseman is a prime candidate to be traded by the low-budget Marlins. His ..."
It's time for Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria to own up to reputation
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October 5
Miami Herald
 
"If it's true that Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez is on the verge of being replaced, and team president David Samson did nothing to dispel the rumors that have suddenly circulated, then Jeffrey Loria has officially become a meddler. And not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill delusional owner who wants so badly to win that he will more than occasionally make a mockery of his organization. No, Loria would be worse. He would be the delusional owner who wants to win so badly that he makes a mockery of his organization -- but doesn't spend any money in the process. He's a persistent beggar and a demanding chooser. He's George Steinbrenner with an empty wallet. It would be a joke, really, that ..."
Will Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez be fired? Stay tuned
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October 5
Miami Herald
 
"Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is reportedly upset with the club's failure to reach the playoffs and will meet with front-office executives next week to decide whether to keep manager Fredi Gonzalez and the rest of the coaching staff. The Marlins finished the season with the third-best record in franchise history. But club officials, including Loria, thought the second-place team should have done better despite having a $35 million payroll, the lowest in the majors. And Gonzalez could be on the hot seat despite receiving a two-year contract extension last spring that carries him through the 2011 season. ``We're all disappointed,'' Marlins president David Samson said Sunday. ``Certainly, ..."
Despite win, Marlins lamenting not making the playoffs
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October 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Apparently, a three-win improvement for a Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! organization that went from a major league-low $21.8 million Opening Day payroll in 2008 to a still league-low $36.8 million Opening Day payroll in 2009 is unsatisfactory for owner Jeffrey Loria. Rather than wholeheartedly celebrate finishing Sunday with the third-best record in franchise history (87-75), the Marlins are lamenting not making the playoffs. According to SI.com, Loria's level of consternation is such that he's giving serious thought to replacing manager Fredi Gonzalez, possibly with Bobby Valentine. "I believe he feels the same way we all feel, which is we set out each year to make the ..."
Is Gonzalez out?
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October 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Apparently, a three-win improvement for a Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! organization that went from a major league-low $21.8 million Opening Day payroll in 2008 to a still league-low $36.8 million Opening Day payroll in 2009 is unsatisfactory for owner Jeffrey Loria. Rather than celebrate finishing Sunday with the third-best record in franchise history (87-75), the Marlins are lamenting not making the playoffs. According to SI.com, Loria's level of consternation is such that he's giving serious thought to replacing manager Fredi Gonzalez, possibly with Bobby Valentine. "I believe he feels the same way we all feel, which is we set out each year to make the playoffs, and we ..."
Sources: Valentine, Marlins talking
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October 4
ESPN.com
 
"At a time when Bobby Valentine has begun the process of talking with teams about a possible return as a manager in Major League Baseball, sources said he is in communication with the Florida Marlins about a possible position with that team -- less than eight months after Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez received a two-year extension. Gonzalez, 45, has managed the Marlins the last two seasons after replacing Joe Girardi, and Florida has contended in both years. Gonzalez was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year in 2008. Gonzalez agreed to a two-year extension with the Marlins in spring training, and he is signed through the 2011 season. However, there has been concern on the coaching ..."
Despite third-highest win total, Florida Marlins not happy with season
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October 4
Miami Herald
 
"Even though the Marlins will finish with the third-highest win total in franchise history, Larry Beinfest said the organization is ``disappointed'' that the club failed to reach the playoffs. ``I don't want to sound like we're terribly disappointed or unhappy because that's not the case,'' said Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations. ``But you never want to be satisfied not making [the playoffs].'' Beinfest pointed to uneven seasons by some of the starting pitchers, along with a high-scoring offense that wasn't consistent enough, as the primary reasons for the team's inability to make the postseason. ``You look back at the year and there's a lot of things you can say ..."
Marlins' Hanley Ramirez locks up batting crown
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October 4
Miami Herald
 
"Hanley Ramirez clinched a batting title and bruised a knee. Jorge Cantu hit the century mark in RBI and sprained an ankle. Cody Ross is hurt, and so is Jeremy Hermida The Marlins are limping to the finish line and many of the regulars will likely be on the bench for the regular-season finale Sunday. But they still continue to win. On Saturday, the Marlins made it four in a row with a 4-3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies and clinched second place in the National League East, setting off a round of applause in the clubhouse. And a strange clubhouse scene it was, as veterans made the rookies dress up in outlandish costumes for the annual hazing ritual. Chris Coghlan had a pair of ..."
Ramirez should give team its first batting champion
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October 4
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"By virtue of Albert Pujols going 0 for 4 Saturday and Hanley Ramirez going 1 for 2, the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! will probably have their first batting champion. Ramirez, who entered the game 11 for his past 62, hit an RBI double in the first and lined out in the third before exiting with a right knee contusion suffered on a steal of third in the first inning. Ramirez raised his average to .342, 13 points ahead of Pujols. Pablo Sandoval began the day at .329. The Giant could finish 8 for 8 and still wouldn't catch Ramirez. "I know I was struggling, but I wasn't looking on the computer to see what they were hitting," Ramirez said. "I don't think I did it myself. Everybody gave ..."
Marlins beat Phillies, who clinch home-field advantage in 1st round with St. Louis loss
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October 4
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Ask Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest why his Florida Marlins won't be playing beyond this afternoon's regular season finale and he can sum it up in one word: inconsistency. That was the term he consistently used when discussing the club before Saturday's 4-3 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. In no other area was that inconsistency more damaging than the starting pitching. Saturday offered a perfect example. In his last outing at Turner Field, Anibal Sanchez walked eight. Against the Phillies: one earned run ? a Ryan Howard solo homer ? and two walks over seven innings. Three-fifths of the Marlins' season opening rotation spent ..."
Donnelly says save should go to Paulino
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October 3
Miami Herald
 
"Reliever Brendan Donnelly said he didn't deserve credit for the save in Wednesday's victory in Atlanta. ``Ronny Paulino should get the save for that one,'' Donnelly said of the catcher. Donnelly notched the save by throwing one pitch but without retiring the batter. That's because the pitch was in the dirt and rolled several feet past Paulino. But Paulino found the ball in time and threw to third to pick off Matt Diaz, who had made it halfway down the line before realizing he wasn't going to make it all the way to the plate with what would have been the tying run. ``I don't think anyone's ever done that,'' Donnelly said of the unusual ending."
Individual exploits stand out in Florida Marlins' victory
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October 3
Miami Herald
 
"It wasn't about the postseason, and who would go and who wouldn't. That much was decided before Friday. The Phillies are in. The Marlins are out. And all that was left for the two teams to determine over the season's final weekend were the details, without the drama. The Phillies, for example, already have wrapped up the division title and are only playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Marlins? Well, their 7-2 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park moved them into a tie with the Atlanta Braves for second place in the division. And there's runner-up money -- ``Christmas money,'' said reliever Brendan Donnelly -- if the Marlins can finish in the second spot. Other ..."
VandenHurk, Marlins beat NL champion Phillies 7-2
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October 3
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! arrived at Citizens Bank Park Friday knowing they could lose their remaining three games and still boast the third-highest win total in franchise history. In no way did they resemble a disinterested team. Behind four hits from Cameron Maybin, three RBI from Jorge Cantu, and six strong innings from Rick VandenHurk, the Marlins spanked the playoff bound Phillies 7-2. Fielding a lineup minus regulars Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz, the Phillies are jockeying for postseason seeding. They began the day with the National League's second best record, one game behind the Dodgers and one ahead of the Cardinals. The Marlins meanwhile ..."
Phillies stumble in loss to Marlins
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October 3
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"By Wednesday's Game 1 of the National League division series, manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee will have finished patching together the Phillies' beleaguered bullpen for the postseason roster.Then they will cross their fingers and hope it all works out.Little in the Phillies' dreary 7-2 loss to Florida on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park could have inspired much confidence in their search for relief from a reliable lefthander.Young Sergio Escalona got a look and allowed two runs and three hits in one inning.Scott Eyre, gutting it out by pitching with a "loose body" near his left elbow, permitted an inherited runner to score. Injured J.C. Romero and Jamie Moyer aren't ..."
Romero, Park still out; Phillies lose to Marlins
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October 3
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"WHILE IT might or might not be true that the pen is mightier than the sword, what is indisputable - at least in the case of the postseason-bound but relief-needy Phillies - is that the 'pen is not mightier than the scalpel; or, for that matter, any rehab facility where damaged pitchers go to get themselves fixed.Manager Charlie Manuel's injury-ravaged bullpen has been a source of heightening concern for much of the second half of the season as relievers began dropping out like fatigued contestants in the fourth day of one of those 1920s dance marathons. Fortunately, baseball is a game composed of several elements, and the blemishes of the depleted relief corps have been largely covered up ..."
Florida Marlins' Hanley Ramirez hanging on in NL batting race
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October 2
Miami Herald
 
"Could Hanley Ramirez blow it? It's possible but doubtful. The slumping player's lead in the National League batting race is down to .013 percentage points over the Cardinals' Albert Pujols -- .341 to .328. And even closer than Pujols is the Giants' Pablo Sandoval at .330. Ramirez is 1 for his past 18 and 11 for 62 since Sept. 13. Before going 0 for 4 on Wednesday, Ramirez said he has been hitting off the wrong foot, and he vowed to drop down a bunt to get back on track. True to his word, he bunted in the first inning but was thrown out. If manager Fredi Gonzalez holds to his plan of resting Ramirez on Friday, it would make it difficult -- but not impossible -- for Pujols to surge past him ..."
Florida Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin is working to prove he belongs
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October 2
Miami Herald
 
"Cameron Maybin had a solid September again, providing a glimpse of his potential. The problem for Maybin and the Marlins is, the young outfielder hasn't lived up to his billing the other five months of the season. Maybin said he will try to change that in 2010. ``You can get caught up in what everybody is expecting of you,'' Maybin said. ``But I've learned you've got to be patient and not try to do too much at once.'' When the Marlins traded a potential Hall of Famer in Miguel Cabrera and a former Cy Young Award winner in Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers nearly two years ago for Maybin, pitcher Andrew Miller and four other players, the belief was that the Marlins would be reaping the ..."
Nolasco K's franchise-record 16
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October 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Ricky Nolasco will purge plenty of memories from this season. The 9.07 ERA through his first nine starts. The demotion to Triple-A New Orleans. The 10 runs he allowed over 3 1/3 innings at Houston in August. Yet long after Nolasco hangs up the uniform for good, he'll look back on 2009 with some fondness. He'll remember his last start and that magical 42-pitch stretch at Turner Field. Nolasco flirted with major league history Wednesday, striking out nine consecutive batters as part of a regular-season franchise-record 16-strikeout game. Behind Nolasco's lockdown effort, the Marlins toppled the Braves 5-4. Starting with Adam LaRoche in the third, Nolasco struck out the side in three ..."
Florida Marlins beat Atlanta Braves at Turner Field
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October 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Jorge Cantu doesn't mind when opponents intentionally walk Hanley Ramirez to pitch to him. He welcomes the opportunity. Tuesday, Cantu came up for the 11th time after a Ramirez intentional walk and delivered the game-winning, RBI-single off Kenshin Kawakami in the seventh for a 5-4 Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! win at Turner Field. The Braves, who got the tying run on first with no outs off Leo Nunez, lost for the just the third time in 18 games. Nunez induced a Chipper Jones double play and Brian McCann pop out for his 25th save. Cantu, who is 7 for his last 17 with runners in scoring position, raised his overall average with RISP to .296 (58 for 196). The RBI was his ..."
Braves' dramatic rally falls short
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October 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"After playing most of Wednesday's game as if it were a must-whiff rather than must-win situation, the Braves staged a dramatic ninth-inning rally that sent a jolt of electricity and hope through Turner Field. But it was squelched by one of of the more unusual game-ending plays anyone could remember in a 5-4 loss against the Florida Marlins, which left Matt Diaz feeling awful and the Braves' postseason hopes decimated. With the bases loaded, Diaz was thrown out trying to get back to third when a pitch in the dirt got away from Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino -- but not as far away as Diaz had momentarily thought. "I pride myself on making the right decision," said Diaz, who had come halfway ..."
Florida Marlins' narrow victory buys extra time
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September 30
Miami Herald
 
"Had they lost Tuesday, the Marlins would have eliminated themselves from the playoff picture, then and there. But in defeating the Atlanta Braves 5-4, they bought themselves a bit of extra time -- if only a bit. For shortly after their victory at Turner Field, the Marlins retreated to the clubhouse and turned on the television to watch the Colorado Rockies. A Rockies win also would serve to eliminate the Marlins. Not that much hope is left lingering. The Marlins have known for days that the playoffs wouldn't involve them -- not without a miracle. But they could take small grains of satisfaction in putting a dent in Atlanta's playoff chances, in securing the club's first winning road record ..."
Florida Marlins beat Atlanta Braves at Turner Field
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September 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Jorge Cantu doesn't mind when opponents intentionally walk Hanley Ramirez to pitch to him. He welcomes the opportunity. Tuesday, Cantu came up for the 11th time after a Ramirez intentional walk and delivered the game-winning, RBI-single off Kenshin Kawakami in the seventh for a 5-4 Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! win at Turner Field. The Braves, who got the tying run on first with no outs off Leo Nunez, lost for the just the third time in 18 games. Nunez induced a Chipper Jones double play and Brian McCann pop out for his 25th save. Cantu, who is 7 for his last 17 with runners in scoring position, raised his overall average with RISP to .296 (58 for 196). The RBI was his ..."
Braves loss leaves them little room for error
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September 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Down to maybe one game to lose -- if they're lucky -- the Braves did just that Tuesday night, falling 5-4 to the Marlins. The Braves' wild card hopes are more precarious than ever, down 2-½ games to the Rockies with five games to play, pending the Rockies-Brewers game Tuesday night. If the Braves thought they've had no room for error over the last 2-½ weeks. Try now. "We've been in the corner all season long pretty much, so we'll see how it works out," said Matt Diaz, whose game-tying three-run homer in the sixth inning was the last big hit the Braves could muster. "It's looked bleaker than this. We'll see what happens. We'll come tomorrow ready to play carefree, like we've got nothing to ..."
Johnson to start for Marlins on Tuesday
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September 29
MLB.com
 
"Early Monday morning, Josh Johnson visited a doctor in South Florida, where he was treated for flu-like symptoms. At 11:45 a.m. ET, he was on a plane headed to Atlanta, and later in the afternoon, the Marlins announced Johnson was cleared to start against the Braves on Tuesday at Turner Field. Due to feeling under the weather, Johnson was scratched from his scheduled start against the Mets on Sunday at Land Shark Stadium. It was unclear then if he would pitch in Atlanta. "They said as long as I don't have a fever, I can continue doing what I'm doing," said Johnson, who was battling a 101.5 temperature. With 199 1/3 innings pitched in 31 starts, Johnson has wanted to reach the 200-innings ..."
Florida Marlins' Josh Johnson benefits from day of bed rest
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September 29
Miami Herald
 
"Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson was upset Sunday when manager Fredi Gonzalez refused to allow him to start against the Mets because of the pitcher's flu-like symptoms. But it didn't take long for Johnson to realize it was a smart decision. ``The only thing that upset me [Sunday] was I couldn't pitch for my team and battle for them,'' Johnson said. ``I wanted to go. I was a little upset when I first heard it. But after I tried to get up and walk around, I figured it was a good choice.'' After spending Sunday in bed, Johnson was feeling much better Monday and was penciled in to start Tuesday against the Braves. ``I feel a lot better,'' he said. ``My throat and chest are still not quite ..."
Marlins shut out by Jurrjens, Braves as playoff hopes dwindle
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September 29
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"From eight scoreless innings his last time out to eight walks this time. Anibal Sanchez's topsy-turvy season continued Monday at Turner Field, where he came one base on balls shy of matching the franchise record in yet another crippling Florida Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! loss. The Braves parlayed two of those walks into runs and got an outstanding seven innings from Jair Jurrjens in the 4-0 win. One more loss or one more Rockies win and the Marlins are out of the wild card hunt. The Braves meanwhile continued their surge, winning their seventh straight and 15th in 17 tries to close within two of the idle Rockies. In spite of throwing just 46.2 percent of 91 pitches for strikes, ..."
Braves run win streak to seven
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September 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"If the 2-1/2 weeks the Braves had used to narrow the wild card lead down to these precious two games weren't convincing enough, then maybe Monday night was. The Braves are not kidding about this playoff business, and they can see it from here. With the Rockies idle, the Braves beat the Marlins 4-0 Monday to extend their winning streak to seven games after winning 15 of their past 17. They are only two games behind the Rockies in the wild card race with six games to play. They keep this up? They could be playing the Rockies in a one-game playoff next Monday at Turner Field. Or more. After a Phillies' loss Monday, the Braves are only four games out in the NL East. "That might be ..."
Next season, Florida Marlins should raise their expectations
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September 28
Palm Beach Post
 columnist Greg Stoda
"Fredi Gonzalez is doing a nice job as Florida Marlins manager. He also has a nice job as Florida Marlins manager. The guy's not under a load of pressure. Nor was Joe Girardi, who wore out his welcome with owner Jeffrey Loria after a one-and-done 2006 season and thereby created the opening Gonzalez filled. So, it's a comfy gig. Gonzalez is of lower emotional key than Girardi, and never are the low-payroll Marlins expected to do much of anything, which means whatever modest accomplishments they do produce reflect well on the guy in charge. For example, Gonzalez is closing in on the end of his third season as Florida's boss and he's 238-241 after Sunday's 4-0 loss to the New York Mets in the ..."
Marlins lifeless in home finale, a 4-0 loss to New York Mets
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September 28
Palm Beach Post
 
"The curtain came down on another Marlins home season Sunday. Now it's just a matter of time before the team's playoff hopes fade away. Facing a Mets lineup that resembled something they would roll out in March in Port St. Lucie and a pitcher with one career victory in parts of four seasons in the majors, the Marlins went out with a whimper Sunday, losing 4-0 before an announced crowd of 31,167 at Land Shark Stadium. Coupled with the Phillies' win in Milwaukee, the Marlins were eliminated from the NL East race, falling 7 1/2 games behind with six to play. The Marlins started the day four games behind the Rockies in the wild-card race. Pat Misch, 1-11 in his career entering the game, gave up ..."
Florida Marlins OF Cody Ross' pain worsens on wrist
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September 28
Miami Herald
 
"Cody Ross wore nothing more than a large adhesive bandage on his left wrist, but the slow way he moved it Sunday offered all the explanation as to his availability -- not just for Sunday but perhaps longer in the Marlins' playoff chase. ``It's hard for me to turn my hand over,'' Ross said a couple hours before Florida's 4-0 loss, rotating his swollen wrist from palm down to palm up. Though X-rays showed no break from the John Maine fastball that caromed off Ross' wrist Saturday evening, the swelling was more painful after a night's sleep. ``Obviously it's day-to-day,'' Ross said. ``We'll just see how it goes. I think Hanley [Ramirez] had the same kind, and it kept him out for a while.'' ..."
Florida Marlins have bad luck on a dismal day
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September 28
Miami Herald
 
"Sunday morning was just stirring to life when the Marlins found themselves greeted by an ominous development. Ace Josh Johnson arrived for his scheduled start visibly weakened by a high fever and was sent back home by midmorning, the latest victim of a flu bug that appears to have grabbed a toehold in the Marlins' clubhouse. It turned out to be the beginning of a luckless day. Also weakened of any sort of timely offensive punch, the Marlins were shut out 4-0 by the Mets' Pat Misch in a home finale that knocked them out of the NL East race and left their wild-card hopes hanging by a precarious thread. ``They came out ready to play and we didn't,'' said Dan Uggla, who left six men stranded ..."