Florida Marlins Baseball

Down on The Farm

Every week, Floridamarlinsbaseball will highlight what's going on inside and outside the Marlins system. Stuff fans want to know about yet the media cannot cover. So tune in and we will fill you in what's happening in the Florida State League, Zebulon, North Carolina or Albuquerque.

Player Spotlight: Travis Bowyer AAA-Isotopes
Bowyer, the hard throwing righty, is the closer of the future for the Marlins. He was acquired from the Minnesota Twins for Luis Castillo. Last season his AAA numbers (4-2, 2.78 23 saves) led to his major league call-up. But in eight games, Bowyer had an ERA of 5.59. The Marlins knew he was not major league ready and signed veteran Joe Borowski to close out Marlin victories. After a weak spring, the Marlins optioned him off to AAA. A shoulder injury has caused Bowyer not to pitch yet this season and it looks like any hope of pitching in the majors this season is dim.

Albuquerque Isotopes
Overview: 45-39 6.5 GB 2nd Place
Top Hitters: Scott Seabol .314-17-46, Mike Kinkade .327-4-31, Jason Wood.297-9-48
Top Pitchers: Nick Ungs 7-6-3.80, Renyel Pinto 6-2-2.63, Brad Clontz 4-3-4.13-13 Saves

Game of the week: 6/27 Isotopes 6 Omaha Royals 5
The Isotopes took a 4-1 lead into the Fifth inning. In the bottom of the fourth Matt Cepicky singled in Seabol. Mark Little double later turned into 2 RBI for Chris Ashby's single. The Isotopes relied on the effective arm of starter Yusmeiro Petit. Petit gave up just three runs off as many hits after 6 IP. German got a hold but a two run homer run in the top of the eighth off reliever J.B. Miadich made the score 5-4. The Topes showed they had heart and scored off two singles by Little and Ashby. Brad Clontz pitched a perfect ninth and earned his 12 save of the season.

News: Word from South Florida that another starting pitcher (Brian Moehler) might be headed to the DL meant another call-up. And for Renyel Pinto, that means a possible start Saturday on his 24th birthday. Pinto pitched in four games during the end of May, but never more than three outs. That means we will be playing the division leading New York Mets in their home turf of the Big Apple with two pitchers who combine to throw 14 innings in their brief major league career. Sanchez, who threw 86 pitches on Saturday to relieve Moehler, was scheduled to start Wednesday, but now will start Friday.


Carolina Mudcats
Overview: 32-38 11.5 GB 1st Half
7-7 2 GB 2nd Half
Top Hitters: Lee Mitchell .232-9-36, Kevin Randel .256-8-27, Ryan Bear .247-4-35
Top Pitchers: Paul Mildren 6-6-3.66, Anibal Sanchez 3-6-3.15, James Russ 4-6-4.06

Game of the Week: 6/29 Mudcats 4 Smokies 1
It took the Mudcats eight innings until they were able to breakthrough Smokies pitching. Mudcat starter Mannyl Olivera went toe-for-toe with Smokies starter Garrett Mock in shutout innings. Mock turned the ball over after striking out 10 Mudcats in seven innings. Mitchell delivered with a hitter’s best friend: a two run, two out single. Two unearned runs scored on a throwing error from Smokies shortstop Alberto Gonzalez. Mudcat closer Kevin Cave picked up his 5th save.

Jupiter Hammerheads A-Florida State League
Overview: 2-8 6.5 GB
Top hitters: Grant Psomas .287-5-37, Brett Carroll .241-8-30, Dante Brinkley .211-7-30
Top Pitchers: Gaby Hernandez 9-4-3.62, Jose Garcia 6-2-1.87, Harvey Garcia 0-5-3.19-13 Saves

Game of the Week: 7/2 Hammerheads 3 Palm Beach Cardinals 0
Hernandez struck out nine and pitched eight shutout innings for Jupiter. The Hammerheads snapped an eight game losing streak thanks to a bases loaded situation in the sixth. With ducks on the pond, Cardinals pitcher Eric Haberer threw a wild pitch. A sac fly by Psomas and a Juan Carlos Muniz RBI groundout gave Hernandez a three run cushion.

Posted by Brian Saal on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 2:24 PM | Permalink