MVN - Most Valuable Network

Nolasco dazzles again as Fish edge Friars

If your name wasn’t Jorge Cantu, you weren’t touching Greg Maddux on Monday night in San Diego. Fortunately, thanks to another one run 8 inning gem by Ricky Nolasco, Cantu’s two run homer stood up and the Marlins beat the Padres, 3-1.

Nolasco is a ten game winner before the All-Star break. Nostradamus couldn’t have seen this coming. In his last six starts, Nolasco is averaging 7.3 innings, he has a 1.83 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP. Over that span, he’s struck out 39 and walked just 3 (8.46 K/9, 0.81 BB/9, 10.5 K/BB). Should something happen to an All-Star, Nolasco will probably be the first one Clint Hurdle calls.

Kevin Gregg picked up his 16th save by tossing a perfect 9th. When he’s had an insurance run Gregg has successfully converted all 11 of his save opportunities. However, he’s blown the save in five straight one run games.

Cantu’s homer was his 16th of the year. After going homer-less in 19 straight games from June 12 to July 2, he has homered twice and knocked in 4 runs. Not to be outdone, Cody Ross extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The only hotter hitter in Florida’s lineup is Hanley Ramirez, who extended his own streak to 14 games with his 19th double of the year, the only other XBH Maddux surrendered.

This three game set continues tomorrow. Andrew Miller vs Randy Wolf. During the series at Coors, Miller was the only Marlin that managed a quality start. He only gave up 3 runs over 6.2 innings. However, he received little in the way of run support and didn’t collect a decision. Although it hasn’t been because of the way he’s pitched, Miller hasn’t won since June 16. Wolf’s last start also came against the Rockies. He lasted just 4 innings and gave up 7 runs. Wolf has given up 16 runs in his last 17 innings, a span of four starts, all losses. The Marlins have hit him hard throughout the course of his career, hanging 12 losses on him in 19 starts. Over that span, Wolf owns a 6.24 ERA.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 5:33 am and is filed under Game Recaps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.