Your Florida Marlins just finished their interleague series with the Texas Rangers last night. Good thing the World Cup and NBA Finals were on all week, because -- holy crap -- was it ugly. Here's how it all went down:
Game 1 -- Rangers 3, Marlins 2: Matt Treanor's revenge! Former Marlin Matt Treanor came in to pinch-hit for Texas in the ninth, hitting a triple that handed the Marlins the loss and ruined Josh Johnson's stellar night. It's always the former players and their reprisal-filled agendas! JJ walked off the mound having pitched seven innings, giving up only one run and mowing down seven. Of course, the story of Florida's journey into the Magical World of Suck continues to be the bullpen. This time it was Leo Nuñez who coughed up the win. And when Leo Nuñez is the guy coughing up wins, this team is in major trouble.
Game 2 -- Rangers 6, Marlins 3: Josh Hamilton had a four-hit
night, including a towering home run that is just now passing Alpha
Centauri. Anibal Sanchez continued his string of solid outings, pitching
six good innings and giving up only one run. But then, in the seventh
inning -- *record scratch!* -- the bullpen took over. No need to further
expound on what happened after that.
Game 3 -- Rangers 6, Marlins 4: Marlins pitchers lead the majors in
errors, with 13 so far this season. The Fish were up 3-1 in the fifth
when starter Ricky Nolasco went "yikes and away!" with an errant throw
to third base. The error led to a Texas rally that led to the 4-3
go-ahead score for the Rangers. Hanley Ramirez went hitless in his two
chances to bring runners in scoring position home, and the bullpen did
that thing where it gives up runs in droves. The Rangers whipped out
the brooms and completed the sweep.
Highlights: Chris Coghlan continues to hit the ball and drive in
runs. The bad news: He doesn't pitch.
Lowlights: The entire series was one giant crapfest. You know
things aren't going well when Leo Nuñez gives up leads. Even worse when
Renyel Pinto makes an appearance.
Up next: The Marlins host the Tampa Bay Rays at Sun Life Stadium.
The team will hand out vuvuzelas at Saturday's game. Because watching the bullpen blow more leads is more fun when is sounds like you're being attacked by a swarm of wasps!
