I was going to start out this post by diving right into last night's game, but first I must clarify something that was said about the Marlins on Sportscenter earlier this morning...
ESPN was doing an in-depth look at Adrian Gonzalez's stats, and afterwards one of their reporters was talking about how he is the most underrated player in the league. (He might be, and maybe if your network would stop gushing over anyone who plays for the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox, and actually paid attention to every team, he might not be). Then he said that this is Gonzalez's third team, and asked "How could the Marlins or Rangers let him get away?" How the Rangers did is a legitimate question. Why did the Marlins get rid of him? Oh, let's see... in the summer of 2003 when the Marlins were in the thick of the pennant race, they traded a top-shelf prospect (Gonzalez, who was a number 1 draft pick) along with two other AA players to Texas for someone named Ugueth Urbrina. Remember him? He eventually took the closer role away from Looper, and we was a main reason why the Marlins won the Wild Card. It forced them to stay away from pitchers like Nate Bump in the late innings, and vastly improved their bullpen in the process. Urbina also saved game 1 of the World Series in Yankee Stadium that year. So how did the Marlins let Gonzalez get away? They received a World Championship ring in return. Any fan would take that, thank you very much.
So, onto last night's game. Andrew Miller didn't quite live up to the precedent the starters have been setting recently, as he was lifted in the 5th inning and allowed 4 runs--3 earned--(2 via bases loaded walks to the 8th hitter and the pitcher). Cristhian Martinez came in from the bullpen, who saved the game by not allowing another run, received the win, and was then optioned back to the minor leagues. But, the real story from last night's game was Jorge 'Hurricane' Julio.
Julio has been bad for some teams in the past, but nothing can compare to the train-wreck he was when he donned a Marlins uniform. Unless you are a Fish fan, you can't comprehend what it felt like to watch Julio implode on the mound in Miami against the Marlins. But, I will try to put his numbers in perspective to help you understand:
Julio pitched in 10 games for the Marlins in 2007, amassing a total of 9.1IP. He allowed 18 H (2 HR, including a grand slam to Nationals when he entered the game with a 3-run lead), 14 runs, walked 11, and struck out just 6 (I think they were all pitchers). That amounted to a grand total of 0 saves, 0 wins, 2 losses, 4 blown saves, and a 12.54 ERA. Now do you see why I called him Hurricane Julio? My motto back then was that he was the biggest disaster to hit South Florida since Hurricane Andrew. And he returned last night, to the delight of every Marlins fan alive.
With the Marlins trailing 4-2, Cody Ross singled up the middle, Brett Hayes was hit by a Julio pitch, Coghlan walked, Bonifacio reached on an error by Prince Fielder, Hanley smacked an infield single, and Cantu was hit by another pitch. Yep, 3 runs on 2 hits, a walk, and 2 players hit by a pitch. Not much has changed, I see Mr. Julio. In fact, it even prompted Marlins TV analyst Tommy Hutton the say "Now I remember, Jorge Julio!" You can see everything unfold here. I could watch it all day myself, and never get tired of it. It was great to see the Marlins dish out some payback to Julio. Not to be vindictive or anything but....
HAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA. Hope to see you in each of the next three games Jorge!
7-4 Marlins, against the Brewers, a first place team no less! Sanchez returns tonight. I would expect Badenhop to be on call early.
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