Keep an eye on the radar gun. Hard-throwing right-hander Eulogio de la Cruz -- one of the six players the Marlins obtained in their trade with the Tigers for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis -- is starting the second game of the doubleheader.
De la Cruz, who can hit triple digits with his fastball but has trouble with his control on occasion, was called up from Triple A Albuquerque to make his first appearance for the Marlins and first start of his career in the majors (he made six relief outings last season for the Tigers). He was 6-2 with a 4.34 ERA for the 'Topes. Infielder Robert Andino was optioned to Albuquerque to make room for De La Cruz.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he is hoping to get 75 or 80 pitches out of De la Cruz, who is pitching on three days' rest after completing 8 2/3 innings for the Isotopes in his previous outing.
NOTE: With his Game 2 start, the Giants' Omar Vizquel will establish a major league record for most games played at shortstop (2,584). Hall of Famer Luis Aparacio had held the record.
Lineups:
Giants: LF Fred Lewis, 2B Ray Durham, RF Randy Winn, C Bengie Molina, CF Aaron Rowand, 1B John Bowker, 3B Jose Castillo, SS Omar Vizquel, P Matt Cain.
Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 3B Jorge Cantu, 1B Mike Jacobs, 2B Dan Uggla, LF Luis Gonzalez, C Matt Treanor, CF Jacque Jones, P Eulogio De La Cruz.
Poor Andino can't catch a break ... yea i know he was only batting 182 with 3 rbi 2 hr 14 ks 4bb and no stolen bases but come on .. he got sent down on friday called up on saturday and then sent back down on sunday ... wait it gets better odds are after the marlins send down De la cruz and pick up some bullpen help till the next off day ... he'll probably get called right back up
Posted by: Avi Web | May 26, 2008 at 01:11 AM