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: Kevin Randel Carolina Mudcats (Class AA)

Randel might be another name added to the 2002 draft class success that has Jeremy Hermida, Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, and Robert Andino already seeing major league action. Randel has powerful numbers for a second baseman: .283-12-48. In order to get serious looks from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, the Long Beach State grad needs to do what he did best in college: have his walk total surpass his strikeouts to show plate patience. Since drawing 43 walks and k'ing 42 times his last season for the 49ers, Randel nearly twice as much. Last season Randel walked 58 times but struck out 95 times. I wouldn't be surprised if Randel gets called up when Major League rosters expand to 40 players in September. If the Marlins are out of the playoff hunt by then expect Randel to see some action.

Albuquerque Isotopes
Overview: 58-61 11.5 GB
Top Hitters: Robert Andindo .251-7-39, Mike Kinkade .324-4-48, Jason Wood .282-11-68
Top Pitchers: Nick Ungs 8-9-4.26, Renyel Pinto 8-2-3.40, Brad Clontz 6-4-4.15-17 Saves

Game of the week: 8/11 Topes 4 Nashville Sound 2

Yusmeiro Petit was the star during the series opener against the Sound. The Marlins pitcher who has bounced from the majors to AAA pitched sevewn solid innings allowing just two runs while striking out four and scattering five hits. The Topes manufactered four runs off eight timely hits. The four runs were scored by two sacrifices, a double play, and a single.

News: Isotopes outfielder Eric Reed has a 17 game hitting streak as of the end of the weekend.

Carolina Mudcats
Overview: 32-38 11.5 GB 1st Half
22-28 8 GB 2nd Half
Top Hitters: Lee Mitchell .244-11-48, Kevin Randel .283-12-48, Ryan Bear .254-6-49
Top Pitchers: Paul Mildren 10-7-3.85, James Russ 6-8-3.79, Adam Bostick II 8-7-3.52

Game of the Week: 8/9 Mudcats 3 Birmingham Barons 2

Starting pitcher James Russ appeared to be in trouble after four and a half innings. Despite pitching seven innings, Russ's squad was down 2-0. The Mudcats finally got a run across Barons starter Adam Russell in the home portion of the fifth. The run scored off a wild throw by Barons catcher Wally Rosa. An inning later Barons reliever Arnie Munoz blew a save after his balk scored Kevin Randel.The game was eventually decided off a solo homer by Mitchell in the seventh.

Jamestown Jammers

Class A Short Season

New York-Penn League
Overview: 25-27
Top hitters: Jacob Blackwood .332-2-23, John Raynor .265-3-17, Spike McDougall .285-1-25
Top Pitchers: Kyle Winters 5-4-2.47, Graham Taylor 3-4-2.31, Brett Sinkbeil 2-0 1.23

Game of the Week: 8/13 Jammers 4 Staten Island 3

Starter Winters pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up two runs and scattered four hits. The Jammers scored four runs off three RBI singles hit in the first, fourth, and sixth innings by Jacob Blackwood, Blake Ochoa, and McDougall respectively. The game was ultimately decided by an up-the-middle single by Justin Webb in the eighth.

Posted by Brian Saal at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Marlins 6 Diamondbacks 5

Ricky Nolasco increased his win total to 11 after pitching 7.1 innings Sunday in the Arizona heat. Nolasco left a three run lead to the bullpen that was nearly blown in the ninth. The former Cubs prospect struck out four batters while giving up two homers in front of 30,974 at Arizona's Chase Field.

Miguel Cabrera's biggest fan on Sunday had to be the 6'2 pitcher. Cabrera went two for four Sunday driving in four Marlins runs. Cabrera's seventh inning two run homer gave the Marlins and Nolasco a commanding 6-3 lead.

Entering the ninth with a three run lead, Marlins closer Joe Borowski lacked control on Sunday and nearly cost Nolasco his 11th win, which put him three behind Dontrelle Willis' team rookie-high victory total of 14 set in 2003. Borowski gave up a leadoff double followed by a triple to start his day. A sacrifice hit by Shawn Green put the Marlins lead at one and caused Nolasco to chew on his nails a little harder. The Marlins closer settled down and ended the game on a strikeout and fly out to pick up his 26th save. Borowski's career high was 33 set back in 2003.

Josh Willingham led the Marlins offense with a 3-4 day at the plate, a day which saw 10 Marlin hits. Dan Uggla went 2-5 but scored three times.

Series Wrap-Up
The Marlins took two out of three from the third place Diamondbacks and are currently seven games under the .500 mark and 5.5 games behind the Wild Card leading Cincinnati Reds. The upcoming series against the NL West leading Dodgers is important in showing that we can come back from being swept by a first place team. Dontrelle Willis will look to take a series opening victory in his home state.

Wacky Stat of the Night: The Tank faced one batter in the eighth yet pitched 0.2 innings thanks to a double play.

Posted by Brian Saal at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

Inside the Television

Ever wonder what the press box looks like during a game?
Thanks to the kind gesture of Florida Marlins broadcaster Rich Waltz and FSN, I was able to observe what a baseball game looks like from up there. Here’s my story.

Exit out of the elevator and you will enter into a world that many greats have been in: Vin Scully, Jack Buck, and Mel Allen. While these successful people achieve glitz and glamour, they are just a part of the team. There are many perks to work in that team: your own private entrance, a free buffet, and make a baseball stadium your office. However as soon as you walk into the FSN booth you realize it’s more than just two men that put on a successful show.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the 25-30 people on the other side of the camera. We all see the tasks for Marlin broadcasters Rich Waltz or Tommy Hutton but what we don’t see is the seven people operating in the press box. Working alongside the on-air talent is an audio manager, stage manager, statistician, cameraman, and a high tech cameraman. All work together to achieve a relaxed atmosphere in a demanding industry but who could blame them, they are getting paid to watch baseball. Spend one inning with the professional yet humorous group and you’ll find that a smile is a sign of success. Jon, the cameraman said it best, “Can you believe we get paid for this?”

The second most noticeable difference is the technicality involved to cover something as simple as a major league baseball game. Six cameras are stationed throughout Dolphins Stadium to make sure every inch is covered. Microphones are placed behind home plate, in both bullpens, the Marlins dugout and in the outfield. In addition to all the equipment is the 10 manned TV booth filled with 66 TV’s.

A producer and director work together to make sure stories get told and the best camera angle is on the air. Three graphic specialists work behind them constantly changing stats and providing stressful humor. In the next room are three people rewinding the live action to provide us with instant replays. Production Manger Chip Singer said, “Imagine a big TiVo and that’s what they do.” These men work together and are constantly working hard in a cold, dark office room, but that’s what they have to do. The most technical man in the booth is the audio man. He has the task of pleasing all the ears involved in the production crew along with us, the audience.

In general, these people are passionate about what they do and aren’t afraid to smile and cut jokes. They are quick to refrain from proper titles like Mr., Ms, or sir and mam. Believe me, only my parents would be proud of saying all those titles. They love what they do and do what they love. Isn’t that the life?

I’d like to thank Fox Sports Net and Rich Waltz for allowing a college student fueled by dreams into their workplace. It’s a simple thing for them but the world to others. Continue to shine even though the Marlins don’t.

Posted by Brian Saal at 8:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

Marlins 6 Mets 5

Who says homeruns are overrated?

Whoever says such a thing seems to forget games like this. While only four of the 18 hits during Tuesday’s opener against the visiting Mets fell into the stands, seven of the 11 runs scored Tuesday night were a result of them; and runs wins ballgames.

The biggest homerun came off the bat from a guy who spent the first 2 hours and 45 minutes of the game from the bench, pinched hit, and only saw one pitch.

Josh Willingham's two run homer off Mets closer Billy Wagner was the first walk off homer in 186 Marlin games, the longest drought in the majors. After a Miguel Olivo leadoff single and a Wes Helm sac bunt, the stage was set for the hottest hitting Marlin batter.

After hitting just two homeruns in his previous 101 at-bats, Willingham has homered five times since “Miami Vice” came out (his last 16 at-bats for those unfamiliar to Sonny Crockett). That isn't even counting the homer taken away by Braves centerfielder Jeff Francour in Atlanta last week. Now with 16, Willingham is tied with Miguel Cabrera and Dan Uggla for Marlin bragging rights.

The Marlins got in a 5-4 hole after Mets leadoff hitter Jose Reyes homered off newly placed reliever Randy Messenger in the seventh. Messenger replaced an aggressive Scott Olsen who was seeking to be the first of his teammates to 10 wins. Olsen pitched six innings, giving up six hits while whiffing 10 Mets. The "home grown" Kalamazoo native helped the cause after his two out RBI double to right field tied the game up at four in the fourth.

The Mets tagged Olsen for three runs in the third thanks to a two run shot by Centerfielder Carlos Beltran and a Paul Lo Duca RBI single. Before Olsen's RBI double, Hanley Ramirez made something out of the seventh slot and cranked a two run dinger in the fourth.

Crazy Stat of the Night:

After Beltran hit the scoreboard in the leadoff inning, Marlins shortstop Ramirez anticipated the bounce and fired a shot from 275+ feet to home plate, which kept Jose Reyes from scoring. Beltran was so surprised the shortstop made the play that he lost his footing and was hung out to dry. Beltran would have eventually scored on Delgado’s single.

Posted by Brian Saal at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments