Donovan Solano looks to become an everyday player for Miami. (Photo: Steven Grant)
The Miami Marlins look a lot different than they did prior to dropping two of three against the Atlanta Braves. With the trade deadline approaching, it is obvious that the Marlins will be sellers and they have already begun to be such. The new-look Marlins will now set their sights on the San Diego Padres for three games to conclude a six-game homestand. The series will mark the Padres’ first visit to Marlins Park and be the final meeting between the teams this season.
The Miami Marlins enter the series with a record of 45-53 putting them a season-high eight games below .500. The Marlins are in fourth place in the National League East now 13.5 games back of the Washington Nationals and just a half game better than the last place Philadelphia Phillies. San Diego comes to South Florida with a 42-58 record which puts the Padres in fourth place in the National League West. The Padres trail the San Francisco Giants by 14 games in the N.L. West. Miami and San Diego will play night games on Friday and Saturday before concluding the series with a day game on Sunday.
Season Series
Miami leads 3-0. The Marlins swept the Padres when the teams met in early May in San Diego. After taking a slug-fest 9-8 in 12 innings to open the series, Miami got outstanding starts from Mark Buehrle and Ricky Nolasco to complete the sweep. The Padres won all seven meetings against the Marlins last season and the Fish will look to return the favor by sweeping the season series this year.
Sanchez, Infante, Ramirez Dealt by Marlins
After what has been a disappointing to say the least 2012 season, the Miami Marlins have already parted ways with some key pieces. On Monday, Miami sent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers for 21-year-old pitcher Jacob Turner and two other minor leaguers. Sanchez was 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA for Miami in 19 starts while Infante was leading the club with a .287 batting average to go along with 8 home runs and 33 RBIs. Early Wednesday morning, the Marlins parted ways with three-time All-Star and former batting champion Hanley Ramirez, sending the third baseman to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with reliever Randy Choate in exchange for pitcher Nate Eovaldi and minor leaguer Scott McGough. After the worst year of his career in 2011, Ramirez was hitting just .246 for Miami with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs this season. Choate this season, posted a 2.49 ERA in 44 appearances for the Fish.
Marlins Steal Major League Season-High 7 Bases
The Miami Marlins were blown out 7-1 by the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday despite stealing seven bases, the most by any team in a single game this season. Jose Reyes and Donovan Solano each stole two bags for the Fish while Emilio Bonifacio, Justin Ruggiano and Bryan Petersen each added one. Miami had just three hits on Wednesday, but were able to steal seven bases due to the fact that they drew seven walks off Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson.
Pitching Matchups
Friday – Kip Wells (SD) 1-3, 4.00 ERA vs. Carlos Zambrano (MIA) 5-8, 4.42 ERA
Saturday – Ross Ohlendorf (SD) 3-0, 5.16 ERA vs. Nate Eovaldi (MIA) 1-6, 4.15 ERA
Sunday – Clayton Richard (SD) 7-11, 4.17 ERA vs. Josh Johnson (MIA) 6-7, 4.14 ERA
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