Marlins sweep no slam dunk, even with the former NBAer on the hill

6-3 after 9 games. Who would have bet that that would be the Marlins record through 9 games just a week and a half ago?  Well, take notice baseball world (even if ESPN doesn't). The fish contiue to find ways to win, and this time it wasn't because of a blowout. Starting pitching is a key to winning, and Big ol Hendrickson delivered this time. 7 innings and 1 run? I will take that any ans EVERY day thank you. Being staked to a 4-1 lead, the bullpen was able to hang on to it...even if Willingham couldn't hang on to the would-be HR he pulled back over the fence. Great play Josh! Even though he didnt catch the ball, he kept it in the ballpark and kept my television from flying across my living room in the process.  The relievers are allowed to let a few runs score every now and then. They have been lights out so far so I'm not going to go crazy when they give up 2 in 2 innings; though Logan Kensing always makes me nervous every time he comes in.

It was encouraging today that the Marlins were able to push a few runs across without slugging the ball over the wall. Man shall not live on the longball alone, and although the fish can slug with the best of em, you need to string a few hits together every now and then and score the old fashioned way.  Jorge Cantu is starting to heat up, with a HR yesterday and going 3-4 today, he is looking like a great offensive threat deep into the lineup. Hermida had a big hit in this one too. Looks like his RBI-itis he had early last year is not going to have a relapse.

On to Houston! Tall task with Oswalt on the hill Friday. I know he is off to a slow start, but Roy is one of the best pitchers in the game, and always pitches well against the Marlins.  Nolasco (who should have been starting over Rick VandenBalk since day one) will get his first start of the year after tossing 5.2 lights-out scoreless innings out of the bullpen the first week. The Astros' offense does have some dangerous hitters like Berkman, Lee and Tejada, but isn't that explosive overall. If Ricky can keep them in check and keep the game close, Florida has a chance to win the first game. It will be fun to watch for sure. Going on to Houston, Houston, Houston......(to the tune of the Dean Martin song)