SB Nation - Cameron Maybin

MLB Trade Rumors: Josh Johnson for Justin Smoak and Neftali Perez??

raygu — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:00:23 -0000

by Wilfredo Lee - AP

2 months ago: Florida Marlins starter Josh Johnson winds up as he delivers a pitch during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia PhilliesTuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

View full size photo »

I was surprised to read that the Texas Rangers offered their two best prospects, Justin Smoak and Neftali Perez for the Marlins ace pitcher Josh Johnson. I am not sure any other team could top that offer of prospects for 2 years of JJ.

Here is what ESPN's Keith Law had to say on the offer:

"As good as Johnson is, that seems like too much to offer given the remaining years of control and the fact that Smoak and Feliz are two of the top 10 prospects in the game and two players Texas' front office prizes very highly. Smoak is a switch-hitting first baseman with patience & power from both sides, and Feliz has already shown what he can do in relief with a chance that he can still start due to his easy velocity."

The Marlins are in a semi-rebuilding mode after dealing Jeremy Hermida, and on the verge of dealing second baseman Dan Uggla. I say semi-rebuilding because they are a young team that is about to get younger once prospects Logan Morrison and Michael Stanton make it to the big league club in the next year or so.

I can't see why they rejected the Rangers solid offer. Should they have pulled the trigger on that deal, they could feature a lineup in 2010-2011 as follows:

Logan Morrison-LF

Michael Stanton-RF

Justin Smoak-1B

This team would be tough to beat on paper come 2011. If the Marlins feel they can compete in 2010, then you have to keep Josh Johnson. But, come July 31st and they are 10 games out, they should re-kindle these talks.

Poll

Should the Marlins have pulled the trigger on the Rangers offer?

Cameron Maybin good to go

craig — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:25:25 -0000

Or at least will soon be. Cameron Maybin's surgery by the press reports went fine.

Maybin, 22, underwent surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. The team announced everything went well, and the speedster is expected to be ready when Spring Training opens in February.

Don't know what to expect from Maybin for the season, especially since he is so young, he can be a bit erratic. But is nice to know the doctors were able to put him back together.

Morning Prowl: Arbitration Dilemmas, Free Agent Predictions, and Gibby's Managerial Aspirations

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:54 -0000

The Tigers face quite a dilemma with their free agents, in regards to offering arbitration. Kurt Mensching tries to predict what decisions the team will make on Placido Polanco, Adam Everett, Fernando Rodney, and Brandon Lyon at Mack Avenue Tigers.

MLB Trade Rumors listed their Top 50 Free Agents for 2010, and Tim Dierkes forecasts where each of them will end up. He sees the Tigers being in on a couple of guys (you'll have to scroll down the list), and he has an interesting destination for Placido Polanco. (And if his Yankees predictions come true, I might just be disgusted.)

Will Detroit's effort to fill its shortstop vacancy be made more difficult by the Red Sox now also cruising the market after declining Alex Gonzalez's option for next year? Might they be interested in Adam Everett, or do they want more offense at that position? (Boston tried to get J.J. Hardy before the trade deadline, as well.)

The Freep's John Lowe exchanged e-mails with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who said he never contacted the Tigers about Hardy because they didn't have what he was looking for in return.

At The Detroit Tigers Weblog, Bill Ferris takes a look through The Bill James Handbook and lets us know how the Tigers stacked up in a variety of categories and stats.

More from Lowe: Did we know Kirk Gibson interviewed for the Cleveland Indians' manager job? I don't recall reading that anywhere else, but apparently he did. Gibby wants to be a major league manager, and feels his six years working as a bench coach (between the Tigers and Diamondbacks) have taught him plenty that he'd use in that role.

How did the two Tigers prospects do in Saturday night's Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase? Casper Wells went 0-for-3, and Andrew Oliver allowed three baserunners in one inning of work, but didn't give up a run. (Here's the boxscore.)

Staying in Arizona for one more item, Lynn Henning reviews the performance of four Tigers prospects playing out there, including the aforementioned Wells and Oliver. (Cue your sad trombone for Cale Iorg.)

The Oakland Press' Pat Caputo thinks that Comerica Park (or its field) should not be named after Ernie Harwell.

Oh, the bonds that develop between baseball players and the beat reporters who cover them. MLB.com's White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin laments Chris Getz getting traded to the Royals, depriving him of someone to discuss University of Michigan football and basketball with. You can e-mail me, Scott.

Former future Tigers superstar-in-the-making Cameron Maybin is having shoulder surgery this offseason. Maybin has a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. ("Always a Tiger," as Old English D says.)

And this is self-indulgent, but in our farewell post to Marcus Thames, rook34 mentioned his favorite Thames moment. It's one of my favorite memories of 2006, as well, and here's what I wrote about it in my pre-BYB days.

Cameron Maybin to have shoulder surgery

craig — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:04:21 -0000

Cameron Maybin will go under the scope on Monday.

Cameron Maybin will undergo surgery Monday to repair a partially-torn labrum in his left shoulder. Maybin, slated to be the starting center fielder in 2010, is expected to be ready for spring training.

The shoulder bothered Maybin in the second half of the season but not bad enough to keep him out of the lineup.

Doesn't sound like it is a big deal. I guess all it means is that he will spend the offseason rehabbing instead of working on baseball activities. Depending on how he recovers, he may be a little rusty to start the season, but no big deal.

MLB Trade Rumors: Jeremy Hermida Traded to the Red Sox

raygu — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:24 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

4 months ago: Florida Marlins' Jeremy Hermida watches his sacrifice fly to left field that scored Emilio Bonifacio from third in the fifth inning in a baseball game Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Browse more photos »

The Florida Marlins are going through their second year of trading arbitration eligible players this offseason, and they started by shipping outfielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox for two minor league pitchers I have never heard of. I am sure you all know that Hermida was once the top prospect in baseball, but he is one of the many who have never lived up to their potential for various reasons.

This deal benefits owners of Cameron Maybin. Here is what Joe Frisaro from MLB.com had to say after dealing Hermida:

Florida expects to bring back Cody Ross, who also is eligible for arbitration, to play right field. The team's outfield projects to be Chris Coghlan in left field, Cameron Maybin in center and Ross in right. Coghlan, however, may wind up at second base. There is a strong likelihood that Dan Uggla will be traded.

If Coghlan moves back to the infield, the Marlins have several outfield prospects, including Scott Cousins and Mike Stanton.

"If Maybin slides into center field, Cody can play right," Beinfest said. "Stanton and Cousins are on their way. We thought we were dealing from an area of depth. And also, within our payroll, our allocations need to be in the best place to be most competitive. Obviously, [Hermida] is a second-time arbitration player."

Cousins and Stanton both finished the 2009 season in AA Jacksonville. Cousins hit .268 with 12 HRs, 74 RBI and 27 SBs in 130 games. Stanton went 16-53-.231-.311-.455 in 299 ABs for Jacksonville. But don't forget about AA outfielder Bryan Peterson who is currently hitting very well in the Arizona Fall League. Peterson went 7-49-13-.297-.368-.413 in 2009.

But, where does Hermida play in Boston? They have JD Drew in right field and Jacoby Ellsbury in centerfield. Could Hermida be the starting left-fielder in Boston in 2010?

Poll

What are the chances Jeremy Hermida starts in Boston in 2010?

zero

49 votes

0-25%

78 votes

25-50%

45 votes

> 50%

44 votes

216 votes | Poll has closed

Market for Jeremy Hermida

craig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:37:10 -0000

It turns out there are a bunch of teams who possibly want to add the services of Jeremy Hermida to their squad.

Speculation continues to run high that the Marlins will trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida this offseason.

---

The Marlins are hopeful Cameron Maybin will win the center field position, and Cody Ross is expected to return. Ross, also in his second season of arbitration, could be earmarked for right field, making Hermida expendable.

Some teams believed to be interested in Hermida are the Mariners, Rays, Mets and Blue Jays. The Cubs also could have interest.

The good news, if this holds true, is that Cody will be returning. Ross is better center fielder than a right fielder, don't ask me why. And at this point in Maybin's career, Cody is the better center fielder of the two. But Cameron is more comfortable in center and if he can hit we can live with him learning to get better in the field. The best defensive outfielder the Marlins have in the organization is, of course, Brett Carroll.

This will be an interesting offseason and spring training to see how the outfield shakes out. Is Coghlan going to remain in left? Will Cody actually be back? Is the light bulb going to illuminate for Maybin? Is Carroll finally going to be given a chance?

All of the answers to these questions will come later.

The Indifference of Heaven: Marlins 7, Phillies 2

WholeCamels — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:12:54 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

Ryan Howard rounds the bases in the first after clubbing a two run home run for the Philadelphia Phillies. "Do I have to do EVERYTHING around here?" (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Browse more photos »

Tedious and dull. Someone remind these guys that they might want homefield advantage for at least one round in the playoffs.

Two runs for the Phillies on a Ryan Howard two run blast into the visiting bullpen in the first inning. Otherwise, just lackadaisical stuff.

The pitching for the Phillies was uniformly sub-mediocre, with starting pitcher Joe Blanton allowing five runs and nine hits over six innings. Four hits from Cameron Maybin, and three RBI for Jorge Cantu.

Playoffs, please?

Washington Nationals Take Two Of Three From The Florida Marlins With 7-2 Win Sunday.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:13:06 -0000

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

2 months ago: Members of the grounds crew fold up the tarp covering the diamond as the rain slows down during the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the Washington Nationals on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Miami. The game was called because of rain in the ninth inning. The Nationals won 7-2. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Browse more photos »

Nationals Take Two Of Three From Fish In Florida...

It took Florida starter Chris Volstad 24 pitches to get through the first, and before the first frame was over the soon-to-be 23-year-old right-hander had allowed 2 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs, only two of them earned because of an error on Dan Uggla. DC lefty John Lannan got two quick outs in his own first, but Hanley Ramirez singled, stole second and scored when Jorge Cantu came through with a liner over Pete Orr at third to make it 3-1 Nationals.

A two-out walk by Volstad, his fifth, in the third, proved costly as he put Justin Maxwell on in front of Pete Orr, who hit his third MLB dinger to right center for a 5-1 Nationals’ lead. Vostad’s exited early, having allowed 5 hits, 5 walks and 5 runs, 4 earned in 3.0 IP over which he threw 59 pitches. Marlins’ lefty Andrew Miller took over in the fourth and walked the first batter he faced, Willie Harris, who was running on Ian Desmond’s infield single in the next AB. Harris took third when Hanley Ramirez threw wide of first on Desmond's grounder and scored when Cristian Guzman followed with a single over second for a 6-1 Nationals' lead after three and a half. In the fifth, it was Orr again, who doubled, took second on a passed ball and came home on an infield groundout by Wil Nieves for a 6-run, 7-1 lead.

John Lannan (W, 9-11) allows just 1 ER on 6 hits through 5.0, throwing 81 pitches, 50 for strikes, but a rain delay ends his day after just the five innings pitched. Tyler Clippard comes out after nearly two more hours of rain on top of last night's delays, and Clippard throws two scoreless in which he allows just 1 hit. Jason Bergmann starts the eighth by giving up a single to Hanley Ramirez, but a DP grounder from Jorge Cantu erased that runner. A two-out walk, however, did end up scoring, after a passed ball and a Cody Ross single make it 7-2, but any hope of a late Florida comeback ends when Land Shark Stadium is soaked by another storm...This rain delay finally ends it after two hours and forty-eight minutes of play, and three hours and three minutes of delays...

Nationals win, 7-2 final.

For A Florida Marlins Fan's Perspective On The Rain...uh, Game....Check Out The SB Nation's Marlins Blog:

FishStripes.

"Game 143: Rain helps the Nats for once" by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• E: 122.

• What's Tim Foli Going To Do Now?

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 50-93.

BACKPAGE:

E: 122.

Pete Orr got his 3rd MLB HR today and his 2nd double of 2009, but he also commited his second error, which gives the Nationals 122-Major-League-leading errors on the season. E: 122 - Orr's E came in the first, on a throw to first that got by Adam Dunn, who was pulled off the bag and then just missed the ball. Orr's throw was offline, which is why, I suppose, he was given the E, as opposed to Dunn, who flat-out missed the catch. OUTCOME: Jorge Cantu moved first to third on the error, but he was stranded there one batter later when Cody Ross grounded into a force at second. No Harm.

What's Tim Foli Going To Do Now?

MASN's Nationals Sideline Reporter Debbi Taylor conducted an interview with DC GM Mike Rizzo in the fifth inning of today's game in which Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Rizzo quickly discussed John Lannan's performance, Ian Desmond's debut and the future of '09 Syracuse Chiefs' Manager Tim Foli...

Debbi Taylor: Mike, a nice turnaround for John Lannan, what are you seeing there?

Mike Rizzo: Well, I think he's commanding his fastball much better than the previous couple of starts, and when he gets ahead of hitters, he can be really tough on guys with the rest of his repertoire, and he's pounding the strike zone today.

Debbi Taylor: Ian Desmond making his first start at second base, what are your impressions of him over there so far?

Mike Rizzo: Well, he's a very live-bodied, rangy play, he's very athletic and he's got a good arm and good hands, and we feel that if need be he could make the transition to second base or stay at shortstop, but, you know, his major league debut's been uh, it's hard to find any faults in it so far...

Debbi Taylor: He's been spectacular, a couple of more hits today, but how difficult is it not to be tricked by good play in the month of September?

Mike Rizzo: Well, September, when you're in the position we're in, is, you know, usually the players are relaxed coming up here and it's a little bit different feel than you get through the long haul of the season, so, you know, we're optimistic, but we're cautiously optimistic, and we take everything with a grain of salt on the performance, good or bad, because often times it can fool you...

Debbi Taylor: Tim Foli is somebody that has been really helpful to a lot of the players, and I know this is the time of year that you make some changes within the organization, what are your plans for him next year?

Mike Rizzo: Well, Tim's been, he's been a vital part of the organization, he's one of the true great baseball minds in our organization, and he's made the transformation from Field Coordinator to Triple-A Manager to help us out in Triple-A this year, we feel that he may be best suited and most valuable as a field coordinator, coordinating all of the instruction of all the levels of the minor leagues, not just our Triple-A players.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Florida Marlins. Game 143 Of 162.

Willie Harris walks to start the Sunday finale. Marlins’ starter Chris Volstad gives up single up the middle on the first pitch to Ian Desmond. Cristian Guzman grounds to second, Desmond avoids the tag and Dan Uggla throws high to first pulling Nick Johnson off the bag to load the bases. Adam Dunn up, and a wild pitch from Volstad brings Willie Harris in, 1-0 Nationals. Dunn walks to bring Elijah SSSUPER DUKESSS up. Dukes slices a fastball inside over first for a two-run single and a 3-0 DC lead. Justin Maxwell flies out to center on the first pitch he sees. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr walks to reload the bases for the "Blocker" Wil Nieves. Nieves grounds to short, Hanley Ramirez to Uggla to Nick Johnson at first, double play...Chris Coghlan grounds out to Ian Desmond at second for John Lannan’s first out. Nick Johnson hits a liner right into Adam Dunn’s oversized glove. Hanley Ramirez punches a single to center in front of Jorge Cantu. Ramirez swipes one on Lannan. Cantu scores Ramirez from second with a liner over Orr at third. 3-1 Washington. Pete Orr backhands a grounder from Uggla and throws wide of first, Dunn misses it. First and third. Cody Ross grounds to Guzman at short, to Desmond, like the sound of that, 3-1 after one.

Lannan leads off the second with a weak groundout to third. Willie Harris takes a one-out walk off of Volstad. Ian Desmond takes an 0-2 fastball for a called strike three. The Guzzz, Cristian Guzman flies to left on the first pitch from Volstad...John Lannan gets a groundout to short from Ronny Paulino. Cameron Maybin grounds toward short, Orr cuts it off and throws to first, in time. Lannan gets the opposing pitcher swinging.

Adam Dunn sends a leadoff single whistling back up the middle. Elijah Dukes chops one out to Uggla, to Ramirez, to Johnson, double play. Justin Maxwell takes a two-out walk from Chris Volstad, and Pete Orr makes’em pay, Orr scores Maxwell the easy way with a line drive HR to right center, 5-1 DC. Wil Nieves reaches on a grounder that Volstad can’t handle. Lannan stares an 0-2 bender all the way in...Chris Coghlan rips a grounder to second and Ian Desmond can’t make the play. Nick Johnson pops out to center on a 3-1 fastball inside. Hanley Ramirez gets blown away on a 2-2 fastball outside and low. Jorge Cantu grounds to Desmond at second, to Guzman.

Andrew Miller replaces Chris Volstad after the third, and walks the first batter he sees, Willie Harris. Harris is running on a sharp grounder to short by Ian Desmond, Hanley Ramirez throws it by first, first and third when Harris moves up. The Guzzzzz, Cristian Guzman singles in a run, slicing a liner through second. 6-1 Nationals. Andrew Miller throws a wild pitch to move Desmond to third. Adam Dunn tips a 3-2 pitch into Ronny Paulino’s glove. Dukes pops the first pitch he sees up to first. Justin Maxwell swings through a 3-2 fastball to end the top of the fourth...Dan Uggla grounds out to short to start the Marlins’ fourth. Cody Ross rips a line drive to left center, but has to stop at first. Ronny Paulino walks to put two on for Cameron Maybin. Lannan hits the outside corner with a 1-2 heater for a called strike three. Pinch hittter Gaby Sanchez grounds to short, Guzman throws to second for the force, and Desmond gets out number four with a throw to first.

Christhian Martinez gives up a leadoff double to Pete Orr, who gets a liner by Johnson at first and into the right field corner. Orr takes third on a pitch from Martinez that gets by the catcher. Wil Nieves ground sharply to short with Orr running home, Hanley Ramirez throws to first, 7-1 DC. John Lannan grounds to short. Willie Harris grounds out to first to end the Nationals’ fifth...Chris Coghlan pops out to Justin Maxwell in right center. Nick Johnson flies out to Elijah Dukes on the warning track in right. Cristian Guzman stabs a grounder from Hanley Ramirez, but throws late to first. Jorge Cantu lines to left where Willie Harris grabs it.

Florida lefty Dan Meyer gets Ian Desmond looking for a called strike three. Cristian Guzman rips a single through short...and it’s another Rain Delay...Kiko Calero’s on the mound when it’s over, Adam Dunn’s K’s swinging and Elijah Dukes flies out to Cody Ross in right to end the Nationals’ sixth...Tyler Clippard vs Dan Uggla. Uggla pops up over the mound, Desmond gets in to make the catch. Cody Ross swings through a 1-2 fastball. Ronny Paulino swings through a two-strike change to end the sixth.

Justin Maxwell takes an 0-2 fastball outside and high for a called strike three. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr flies out to Maybin. Wil Nieves chops out to third to end the top of the seventh...Cameron Maybin rips a ground ball through short to start the bottom of the frame. Ross Gload sends a flare out to short for Guzman to grab. Chris Coghlan flies out to Willie Harris in left. Nick Johnson flies out to right to end the seventh.

Mike Morse is up in the top o’ the eighth. Burke Badenhop throwing for Florida. Morse shoots a grounder to short that Hanley Ramirez handles. WIllie Harris sneaks a single through second. Ian Desmond grounds into a force at second, but beats out the DP throw to first. Cristian Guzman grounds sharply to short, Hanley Ramirez has no play at second and he bounces a throw to first that’s too late. Alberto Gonzalez ground out to short to end the frame...Jason Bergmann takes over on the mound against Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez drops a pop into short right. Jorge Cantu grounds to the hole at short, Desmond gets there, backhands, throws to second, Alberto Gonzalez to first, double play. Dan Uggla takes a two-out walk. Uggla takes second on a passed ball with Cody Ross at bat. Ross fouls off a few 3-2 pitches and finally singles to left to score Uggla. 7-2 DC. Ronny Paulino grounds out to second to end the eighth.

Elijah Dukes leads off the ninth. Dukes takes strike three on the outside edge. Justin Maxwell K’s swinging over a bender. Pete Orr K’s staring at a slider...Cameron Maybin vs Jason Bergmann in the ninth. Maybin singles to center. RAIN DELAY AGAIN!!!! And they never come back...Washington wins, 7-2 final.

Nationals now 50-93.

Ryan Zimmerman's Walk-Off HR Ends Eight-Game Losing Streak, Washington Nationals 5-4 Over The Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:01:48 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

"Hey! It's Bernadina!!!!" - Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman is congratulated after hitting a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Florida Marlins, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, during a baseball game in Washington. The Nationals won 5-4. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Browse more photos »

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost. After the Nationals had rallied to tie the Marlins at 2-2 in the eighth and then watched as closer Mike MacDougal gave up a two-out hit to Nick Johnson that put Florida back up 4-2...Just then...Willie Harris stepped to the plate against the Marlins' closer Leo Nunez and sent a solo shot to right, right into the second deck to remind everyone why he's TAWH!!! The Amazing Willie Harris!!! Cristian Guzman follows with a sharp grounder to second, deep in the hole, and Guzman, (bunions and all), beats the throw to first and is actually called, "SAFE!!" Do You BELIEVE, DC FAITHFUL? Ryan Zimmerman steps in against Leo Nunez. First pitch change in at 86 and it's called ball one. Nunez comes back with a fastball and dials it up to 96 for a swinging strike and a 1-1 count. Is Nunez crazy? The Florida closer comes back inside with a 1-1 change and Ryan Zimmerm---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! TWO-RUN WALK-OFF HR TO CENTER AND GONE!!! Ryan Zimmerman's 28th HR of 2009 wins it for Washington!! The Nationals break an eight-game losing streak!!! The NATIONALS WIN! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!

Nationals win, 5-4 Final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching!!

Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes - Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 137: Like old times--in a GOOD way!" -Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Elijah Dukes, Socks High, Sends A DY WAVE To The Dugout From Second!!!

• The Kids Call Him Zim!! A Win That Almost Wasn't And Why.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 47-90.

BACKPAGE:

• Elijah Dukes, Socks High, Sends A DY WAVE To The Dugout From Second!!!

Elijah Dukes had the red socks pulled high today as the Nationals donned their Sunday Reds with the alternate BIG "W" logo in white and white piping on the jerseys, and the Nationals' right fielder had another impressive outing as all eyes in DC, with not much else to watch, have turned their attention to right to see if Dukes can claim the job for 2010 in the last month of the season, and it seems like Dukes knows he's playing for a spot. Dukes is 11 for 25 in his last 8 games played before this afternoon, and Dukes ended the day 2 for 2 with a walk, a double, his 18th, and a run scored. So far in September, Dukes is hitting .444 in 4 games, and he's using the Discerning Eye passed on by the great Nick Johnson, walking 5 times in 9 at bats and posting a .643 OBP so far in the final month of the season. They're not yelling, "Boo"...They're Yelling DUKES!!!!

• The Kids Call Him Zim!! A Win That Almost Wasn't And Why.

D.C. right-hander J.D. Martin held the Florida Marlins to one run through six, and had two out in the seventh when two two-strike pitches to Cameron Maybin were called balls** and the Marlins' center fielder walked. Pinch hitter Ross Gload followed with a single to right that sent Maybin to third, and Chris Coghlan's single scored the two-out walk to make it 2-0 Marlins after seven. DC right-hander Tyler Clippard pitched a quick scoreless eighth and the Nationals got a bases-loaded, two-out, two-run single from pinch hitter Mike Morse to tie it, only to give up the third out of the inning when Wil Nieves failed to advance to third on the throw home and Morse ran into him at second and was tagged out. 2-2 after eight.

Mike MacDougal takes over for the Nationals in the ninth. The DC Closer gives up a single, throws a wild pitch and issues a walk to Cameron Maybin put two on for Marlins' third baseman Wes Helms, who bunts both pinch runner Emilio Bonifacio and Maybin into scoring position. Chris Coghlan had another chance to win it, but he hit a ground ball to second that Willie Harris threw home for Wil Nieves who blocked and tagged Bonifacio. One down, first and third and...Oh no!...It's Nick Johnson! And the Former Nationals' first baseman hit a Trademark Single™ to center to give the Marlins the lead, and an ill-advised dive and miss by the "defensive replacement" Justin Maxwell allows Coghlan to score from first for a 4-2 lead after eight and a half...

And Then TAWH!! THE GUZ!!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! LOSING STREAK OVER!!!!

(ed. note - " ** = Check the MLB.com Gameday Link And Tell Me Pitches 5 and 7 aren't strikes!!)

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 137 Of 162.

J.D. Martin starts the afternoon by popping up Chris Coghlan for the first out of the series finale with the Florida Marlns. Former Washington Nationals’ first baseman Nick Johnson strikes out swinging at a fastball up high. Hanley Ramirez flies weakly enough to left that Cristian Guzman runs out to get it...In the absence of Nyjer Morgan, Willie Harris is leading off against Anibal Sanchez, and he flies out to center. In the absence of "Two-Spot" Johnson, Cristian Guzman’s batting second. Guzman hits one up into the wind toward center for Cameron Maybin to catch. Ryan Zimmerman hustles but he’s thrown out by Hanley Ramirez after a grounder to short.

Cristian Guzman throws to first to get Jorge Cantu. Dan Uggla pops a slow curve up to the infield. Cody Ross gets a hold a hanger and lines it over Willingham’s head in left. Ronny Paulino flies to Willie Harris to end the top of the second...Adam Dunn K’s chasing a fastball up out of the zone. Josh Willingham grounds out to the pitcher. Elijah Dukes rips a single through short off Sanchez. Alberto Gonzalez hits another two-out single to send Dukes to third. Wil Nieves swings through a high fastball to end the second.

Cameron Maybin grounds out to Guzman to start the Marlins’ third. Wil Nieves fires the ball to Ryan Zimmerman at third after catching the third strike thrown by the opposing pitcher. Chris Coghlan hits another single to center. Nick Johnson gets jammed and he pops one straight up...J.D. Martin tests Nick Johnson’s reflexes with a line drive to first. Willie Harris walks with one down. Cristian Guzman K’s swinging through a high fastball from Sanchez. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to center to end the third.

Hanley Ramirez launches a leadoff HR to left for a 1-0 Marlins’ lead. Jorge Cantu fouls strike three into Wil Nieves’ glove. Dan Uggla grounds out to Zimmerman at third. J.D. Martin hangs another bender to Cody Ross, who sends a screamer to left for a two-out double. Ronny Paulino grounds out to short...Adam Dunn flies out to left field for Chris Coghlan to catch. Willingham grounds out to third. Elijah Dukes up with two down, and he goes the othe way with a line drive double to right. DY WAVE FROM SECOND BY DUKES!!! Alberto Gonzalez K’s swinging.

Cameron Maybin doesn’t think the low outside corner counts, but J.D. Martin hits it. Elijah Dukes sprints in and makes an underhand catch on a liner from the pitcher. Martin gets Chris Coghlan to ground to short to end the Fish’s fifth...Wil Nieves sends a fly ball out to Cameron Maybin in center. J.D. Martin K’s swinging over a two-strike bender from Anibal Sanchez. Willie Harris flies to the warning track in right to end the fifth.

Elijah Dukes leaps at the wall, but misses a fly ball off Nick Johnson’s bat. Johnson in with a double, so Hanley Ramirez gets the intentionals with first open. Jorge Cantu grounds to short, Guzman to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. Johnson takes third. Uggla up with two down. J.D. Martin gets a grounder back to the mound and throws to Dunn to end the threat...Cristian Guzman pops out to Cantu foul of third. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to Uggla at second. Adam Dunn hits a two-out double to right and off the wall on one hop. Josh Willingham walks, and Elijah Dukes gets a two-out RBI opportunity. Dukes takes a curve in the numbers and takes first. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to first to end any threat.

Cody Ross pops out to the infield. Ronny Paulino grounds back to the mound. Cameron Maybin takes a low fastball for ball four and a two-out walk. Ross Gload gets a PH opportunity. Gload singles to center, Maybin moves around to third. Chris Coghlan lines an RBI single into right to score Maybin, 2-0 Marlins. Nick Johnson hits one straight down that stays fair, Johnson out at first, 2-0 Fish in the seventh...Wil Nieves leads off the seventh against Matt Lindstrom. Nieves flies out to Maybin in left center. "Pinch Hittin’" Pete Orr drops a single into short right. Willie Harris lines out to Cody Ross in right. Cristian Guzman walks with two down. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Chris Coghlan in left.

Tyler Clippard blows Hanley Ramirez away with a 90 mph two-strike fastball for a swinging strike three. Jorge Cantu singles to left with one down. Dan Uggla pops out to short center. Cody Ross pops out to center to end the top of the eighth....Renyel Pinto’s dealing to Dunn in the eighth. Dunn flies out to left field. Josh Willingham flies out to Cody Ross in right. Elijah Dukes takes a two-out walk. Josh Bard moves Dukes to third with a two-out single. Wil Nieves takes a second two-out walk. Mike Morse will see Kiko Calero. Morse lines up the middle, two runs score, tie game, 2-2, but Wil Nieves is still on second when Morse arrives there, and Morse gets tagged out to end the inning.

Mike MacDougal is on in the ninth. Ronny Paulino singles through short to start the ninth. Emilio Bonifacio runs for Paulino. Cameron Maybin take a two-out walk in front of Wes Helms. Helms bunts to third, Zim fields and throws, but both runners advance. Chris Coghlan grounds back to the mound, Willie Harris throws home and nails Bonifacio at the plate. Two down. Nick Johnson with two on and two out, hits a Trademark single™ to center to score Maybin, Justin Maxwell misplays it, and the Marlins score two, 4-2 Fish. MacDougal walks Hanley Ramirez and gets a ground ball from John Baker to end the inning...TAWH GOES DEEP!! GONE!! Solo shot by Harris to cut the lead in half!!! 4-3 FISH!! Cristian Guzman grounds deep in the hole near second and beats the throw to first. Tying run on for Ryan Zimmerm---WHO WANTS A TIE!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! Ryan Zimmerman hits a two-run walk-off HR to win it for the Nationals. 5-3 final. THE NATIONALS WIN! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!!

Nationals now 47-90.

Washington Nationals Drop Eight Straight, 9-5 To The Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:23:56 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez pitches against the Florida Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Browse more photos »

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the Washington Nationals best the two seven-game losing streaks they've strung together already this season by dropping eight-in-a-row with tonight's 9-5 loss to Florida. The Marlins' batters come in with a plan and settle back in the batter's box to get a good look at Livan Hernandez's slow junk and the home plate umpire, Tim McClelland, decides to squeeze the 34-year-old veteran forcing Livan to throw 107 pitches, 58 of them strikes in 5.0 innings on the mound over which he allows 8 hits, 1 HR, 6 ER and 5 walks while striking out 6. Down 3-0 after one inning, the Nationals load the bases against Florida starter Josh Johnson with no one out in the second and get an RBI single from Pete Orr to make it 3-1, but Wil Nieves K's swinging and Livan grounds into a rally-killing DP to end the threat. Washington goes hitless through the next four innings before adding three runs in the seventh on a single by Wil Nieves and a two-run double by Josh Bard, and they add a run in the ninth when Justin Maxwell doubles and scores on Mike Morse's single, but 9-5 is as close as Washington can get. Josh Johnson wins his 14th, Livan loses his 10th and the Nationals drop #90...Oh, and the Marlins improve to 11-3 against DC in '09...

Marlins win, 9-5 final.

BACKPAGE:

• Victor Garate Is One Of Us...

• Saturday Night In the Minors.

For The Completists, Full Game Report (Currently Unedited) After The JUMP...

Nationals now 46-90.

BACKPAGE:

• Victor Garate Is One Of Us...

Victor Garate entered tonight's game in the sixth, pitching for the first time above Double-AA ball, and the 24-year-old left-hander allowe...before I tell you what happened, if you don't already know, let me take you back a few posts to a conversation that took place in the comments section here the other day, where I asked, when Garate was officially added to the 25-man roster, what would happen when he made his DC debut:

Let's see:

A) Home run by first batter he faces?
B) Walks the first batter he faces?
C) Comes on with bases loaded to face a lefty, walks in run?
D) Successful first appearance, retires batter in a Lefty vs Lefty matchup?
E) Not even going to pitch?

Which would you have chosen? If you selected option "A) Home run by the first batter he faces?", you would've been correct, what's even worse is that it came on an 0-2 pitch down low in the zone to Marlins' pinch hitter Brett Hayes. Garate started Hayes with two fastballs, up high and down the middle at 86 for a called strike, and outside and high at 87 for a swinging strike two, but then Garate tried to waste a slider low and outside and Hayes reached down and lifted it up and out of the park into the first row of seats in left center. Garate now joins DC left-hander Sean Burnett, (who gave up a HR to these same Marlins in his DC debut back on July 1st) as another reliever who is clearly and instantly one of us...One of us...One of us...

• Saturday Night In the Minors.

The Syracuse Chiefs (Triple A) dropped an 8-2 decision to the Pawtucket Red Sox Saturday night, to fall 5.5 games behind the International League's North Division winners, the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees. Daryle Ward went deep for the Chiefs, and Ian Desmond finished the night 2 for 4 with a .345 AVG...The Harrisburg Senators (Double-AA) lost 7-1 and 5-2 to the Bowie Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles' Double-AA affiliate, in a double-header Saturday night that saw the Senators held to just 1 hit, a solo HR by Ricardo Nanita, in Game 1 before the Bay Sox took Game 2 5-2 later in the evening. Nanita went deep in Game 2 too...The Potomac Nationals (Class-A) shut the Kinston Indians out Saturday night, with Tom Milone improving to 12-5 in '09 with an 8.0 inning, 4-hit shutout that saw Tim Pahuta smack his 8th HR of the year while Danny Espinosa hit his 18th...The Hagerstown Suns (Class-A) got a walk-off win when third baseman James Keithley singled to left with two down and a runner on third after a walk, stolen base and a throwing error by Lake County Captains' catcher Adam Abraham. Left-hander Jack McGeary gave up 4 hits, 3 walks and 8 R, 3 earned in over 1.2 IP in an 11-2 Vermont Lake Monsters' loss to the Staten Island Yankees on Saturday. Destin Hood was in right field for the Lake Monsters, going 1 for 3 and collecting his 23rd RBI in 37 games...That's your Saturday in the Nationals' system...

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 126 Of 162.

Chris Coghlan drops the second pitch of the game into short right center for a leadoff single. DC righty Livan Hernandez gets help from his catcher, Wil Nieves, who throws out Chris Coghlan trying to take second. Hernandez issues a one-out walk to Cameron Maybin to put one on for Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez gets a free pass from Livan. Jorge Cantu waits on a slow slow curve and lifts it to the left field corner for a double, and a 1-0 lead. John Baker stares strike three all the way in. Dan Uggla walks with two down to load the bases. Cody Ross comes up and rips a single up the middle, two runs score, 3-0 Nationals. Wes Helms gets the two-strike slow curve in at 64 mph for a swinging K...Willie Harris walks to start the Nationals’ half of the first. Cristian Guzman flies out to left for the first out. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to third, Wes Helms to Uggla to Jorge Cantu, double play.

Josh Johnson grounds to Pete Orr at second for the first out of the inning. Chris Coghlan singles to right one hop in front of Elijah Dukes. Cameron Maybin’s called out on strikes as Livan evens out the evening’s K/BB ratio. Hanley Ramirez comes up just short of the left field wall, Josh Willingham’s catch ends the top of the second...Adam Dunn rips the cover off the ball, singling through the dramatic shift. Josh Willngham works the count full and walks. Elijah Dukes takes the second-straight walk and loads’em up for Pete Orr. Orr hits the first pitch from Johnson through second to score Dunn, 3-1 Marlins. Wil Nieves takes ball three for another full count, but K’s chasing a heater upstairs. Livan Hernandez grounds to third, Wes Helms to Uggla to Cantu, double play.

Jorge Cantu isn’t looking for the slow bender this time, swinging K. John Baker walks with one down. Livan drops the slow two-strike junk on Dan Uggla. Pete Orr sprints behind first in foul territory to catch Cody Ross’ pop out...Willie Harris grounds to short, Hanley Ramirez makes the throw to first. Cristian Guzman gets robbed by Cameron Maybin, who makes a diving play in left center, and Cody Ross runs into the wall in right to grab Ryan Zimmerman’s deep fly.

Wes Helms hits a high chopper over the mound and Cristian Guzman drops it as he pulls it out of his glove. Josh Johnson gets a successful sac bunt down. Chris Coghlan slaps a "fastball" from Livan out to left for another single. Cameron Maybin lifts a low liner to right, Dukes misjudges it, makes the catch and has his throw hit Adam Dunn at first as the run scores, 4-1 Florida. Hanley Ramirez leaves the yard in a hurry with a line drive HR to left, 6-1 Fish. John Baker lines out to center and it’s 6-1 in the middle of the fourth...Adam Dunn grounds into the dramatic shift. Josh Willingham pops up behind second. Elijah Dukes does the same to end the fourth.

Dan Uggla starts the fifth with a backwards K on a low fastball right down the pipe. Cody Ross grounds back to the mound. Elijah Dukes closes his glove on a fly ball to right from Wes Helms that ends the third...Pete Orr grounds to second and almost beats the throw to first, almost. Wil Nieves lines right back to Josh Johnson who makes the self-defense catch near his noggin. Jorge Padilla has hit bat shattered as he grounds out to short.

Victor Garate, the left-hander acquired in the Ronnie Belliard-to-LA deal, will make his DC debut right now-ish. Garate gets up two strikes and throws a low 0-2 slider to pinch hitter Brett Hayes that gets jacked out to left and into the first row for a solo HR. 7-1 Marlins. Garate gets a fly ball to left from Chris Coghlan and then walks Cameron Maybin with one down. Garate pops up Hanley Ramirez. Jorge Cantu takes a hanging curve that comes in chest high to left and to the wall for an RBI double and an 8-1 lead. John Baker grounds out to second to end the top of the sixth...Christhian Martinez takes over on the mound for the Marlins. Willie Harris gets a two-strike change and K’s swinging. Cristian Guzman flies out to Cody Ross in right. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to third, and Wes Helms thro...Wes Helms sails it, and Zimmerman takes second. Adam Dunn pops a 3-1 pitch out to left to end the sixth.

Dan Uggla doubles to left off Jorge Sosa to lead off the seventh. Cristian Guzman throws to first to get Cody Ross on a productive groundout. Ryan Zimmerman drops a liner from Wes Helms, but throws him out at first. Cristhian Martinez gets an AB and grounds out to second to end the top of the frame...Josh Willingham flies out to center to start DC’s seventh. Elijah Dukes lines one off the wall in center and slides in headfirst at third with a one-out triple. Pete Orr walks. Wil Nieves knocks Dukes in with a single to center. 8-2 Marlins. Josh Bard hits a fly ball to right that a diving Cody Ross can’t come up with, Orr and Nieves score, 8-4 Fish. Martinez out, Dan Meyer’s on in relief. Justin Maxwell K’s swinging through a fastball up high. Cristian Guzman pops out to end the inning.

Ron Villone’s on the mound in the top of the eighth. Chris Coghlan hits a one hop blooper to short for Cristian Guzman. Cameron Maybin drops a pop fly into short right in front of the outfielders. Hanley Ramirez goes with a pitch outside and lines to right for a double that scores Maybin. 9-4 Marlins. Ron Villone gives Cantu the intentionals. John Baker flies out to Willingham in left. Jason Bergmann comes on to face Dan Uggla, who grounds into a force at third...Ryan Zimmerman faces Dan Meyer in the Nationals’ half of the eighth. Zimmerman flies out to right, Cody Ross makes the grab. Adam Dunn hits a one-out liner to right in front of Josh Willingham. Ronny Paulino comes on to catch Brian Sanches. Josh Willingham singles through short to put two on for Elijah Dukes. Dukes K’s swinging through a 90 mph fastball up at the letters. Pete Orr flies out to Cody Ross in right to end the frame.

Bergmann vs Ross to start the ninth. Swinging K at a bender in the dirt. Bergmann pops up Wes Helms. Ronny Paulino takes a two-out walk. Chris Coghlan flies out to left to end the Marlins’ ninth...Wil Nieves grounds out to second. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to right. Justin Maxwell lines to left and Chris Coghlan flat misses it, J-Max safe at second. Mike Morse lines to right to score Maxwell from second. 9-5. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Ross in right to end the game.

Nationals now 46-89.