Stanton for Guillen?

Well, the Marlins-Phillies game has been delayed for a little while. So as I sit here waiting for the game to start, I hae to bring something up. Although Marlins sources deny it, I have heard some sources say that a Mike Stanton-Ozzie Guillen swap was discussed in the offseason? When I first heard the rumor, it was Logan Morrison for Guillen, but the more reliable one was the trade with Stanton. I wouldn't doubt it with Loria's love for the star manager, and he was a former Marlins 3rd base coach on the '03 team, but again, just a rumor. Marlins fans, can you imagine?

 FOR

Now, I hope its not true. Just pointing it out.

Also, check out http://www.marlinsdaily.com/.
A new Marlins blog by Dave Gershman. Good stuff.
Go Fish!

Marlins lose to Diamondbacks 12-9, fall below .500:

Ricky falters, and falls to 4-2 on the season.

Notes and thoughts: 

• The Marlins have not been under .500 since April 3rd. Well, they are tonight. After losing 12-9 in an adventerous game, the Marlins are 32-33. 
• Ricky Nolasco gave up 9 runs, 4 being unearned, and did not fool anyone. He only lasted 3 innings. 
• The bullpen was worked, but they did an effective job. Giving up only 3 runs in 6 innings.
• Why does Kirk Gibson always look so sad? He is a solid manager though. That team has a nice core, and a solid future.

Key Plays:
In a 4 run fourth, Miguel Montero had a 3-run double.
Zach Duke hit a 2-run HR in a 5 run 3rd.
Omar Infante had a 2-run double
Gerardo Parra nailed Bonifacio at the plate after an Infante single.
Mike Stanton added an RBI single, and had a 2-run double.
John Buck had a 2-run single.
Key Plays

Wrapup:
On a night where the Marlins had the most hits and runs they have scored this season, they lose. Isn't baseball a beautiful sport? They fall 7.5 behind the Phils, and they need to gain some games to have a chance. How do they do that? They beat the Phils. A HUGE 4 game series is among them as 4 games will be played at Citizens Bank Park in a span of 48 hours. While it is early in the season, this series may make or break their season.

The Problem with All-Star Voting

Last year, Braves 2B Omar Infante was putting up great numbers. Even eith these numbers, he was not selected for the all-star game, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who was the NL manager, chose Omar to be on the team. Ofcourse Infante is a Marlins this year, and even though he is not worthy of a nod this year, even if he was hitting 40 HR's, he would not be in the all-star game, why? Because he is a Marlin.While Hanley Ramirez has made it 3 years, it is because he has been proven as a star, but the point of the all-star game is to get guys that have earned it that specific year, but it is based on popularity, just like a high-school election. This seems to eliminate Marlins players as a whole because of their small market. But two players this year deserve it, Mike Stanton and Gaby Sanchez. Gaby Sanchez has been in the top 10 in NL stats all year, and Mike Stanton is in the top 5 of HR's and slugging %. Stanton nor Sanchez are listed on the top 10 or 5 respectively in their respective positions. It's sad. So Marlins fans, vote for our two studs, and get them some recognition. Not to mention what Stanton would do in the home run derby.

Preview coming soon for the game against Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks (35-30) @ Florida Marlins (32-31) 6/11/11 Summary

Marlins lose to Diamondbacks 9-5, fall to 32-31:

Stanton homers again, but Marlins fall 9-5.

Notes and thoughts: 

• Well, on a rain delayed game in Miami, the Marlins dropped a bad loss against the Diamondbacks, falling 9-5. 
• Javier Vasquez looked promising, striking out 6 through 3, but fell apart in the 4th. He ended up going only 3 2/3 innings, giving up 7 earned runs. He now has an ERA over 7.00, the only SP with a 7.00+ ERA with at least 10 starts. 
• I feel Edwin needs to look into finding a different option at starter, Vasquez just is not cutting it. Good thing he is only a 1 year contract.
• As far as hitting, the Marlins started solid, getting a leadoff homer from Coghlan, and a RBI triple from LoMo in the 3rd. Gaby and Stanton added bombs, their 11th and 16th, respectively. 
• The Marlins need to win the next 2. 6 games behind the Phillies is scary; they may need to look into the WC mainly. 

Key Plays:
In the 1st inning Ryan Roberts homered to right.
In the 1st inning Chris Coghlan homered to right.
In a 6 run 4th, Javy walked Ian Kennedy leading to a Ryan Roberts walk with the bases loaded, making it 3-2.
In the biggest play of the game, Kelly Johnson cleared the bases with double. DBacks up 6-2.
Justin Upton added an RBI double to make it 7-2.
Gaby added a 2-run HR in the 5th, making it 7-4.
Next batter, Stanton launched a solo HR.
All key highlights can be seen here

Wrapup:
Well, the Marlins fall to 32-31.
MVP of the game was Ian Kennedy. He went 8 strong innings and after the Stanton homer, he retired 10 straight batters. Prediction: Stanton will lead the MLB in homers after the season is over. Man is a beast. Brad Hand starts tomorrow for Florida, a must win in my opinion. Preview will come sometime tomorrow. Fish lose, but keep your heads up, its a long season. However, taking 3 of 4 from Arizona before heading up to Philly would be ideal.

Arizona Diamondbacks (34-30) @ Florida Marlins (32-30) 6/10/11 Summary

Notes and thoughts:

• On a beautiful night at Sun Life Stadium the Florida Marlins beat the Arizona DBacks by a score of 6-4.
• Well, my score prediction was dead on. Pretty sure that will never happen again. But that's exciting.
• The lineup was tweaked as Bonifacio was put in for Coghlan in CF. He had 2 doubles and a walk, and made a nice defensive play late in the game. Wes Helms was the only starter without a hit.
• I really like what Edwin did tonight. I am glad Cishek got the save, I like that guy. the one thing I did not like is bringing Dunn in in the 7th.
• Anibal gets the W, bringing him to 6-1, and Joe Saunders gets the L, bringing him to 3-6.

Key Plays:
In the 1st inning Logan Morrison homered to right:
Logan Morrison 2-run HR
In the 6th inning Mike Stanton hit a 2-run bomb, his 15th of the year:
Mike Stanton 2-run HR
John Buck followed Stanton with a HR of his own:
John Buck Solo HR
Miguel Montero hit a 2 run HR in the 7th:
Miguel Montero goes deep
Xavier Nady goes back-to-back with Montero, making the score 5-4:
Xavier Nady HR

Wrapup:
So, the Marlins get off the losing streak and bring their record to 32-30.
Phillies beat the Cubs, and as I type the Braves are hammering the Astros. So the Marlins won't gain any ground in the East or the WC, but the win should jumpstart this team. Go Fish. Preview for the Marlins-DBacks game coming up tommorrow.