Can the Marlins Play Connect Four?

   Incredibly, the Marlins are riding just their third three-game winning streak of the season and will be gunning for only their second four-game win streak tonight when they take on the Rockies. Their only other four-game winning streak came in early May when they swept the Mets at home in a long series. Other than that, though, it's largely been a back-and-forth season.

   Just a thought, but I'm wondering if this won't be Nate Robertson's final hurrah for the Marlins when he takes the mound tonight. Robertson is a free agent after the season, Detroit is paying almost his entire salary, and the Marlins didn't give up that much to get him (Jay Voss). Wiith Chris Volstad and Sean West primed and looming in the wings at Triple A New Orleans, it would seem that Robertson's time here is short.

   Don't expect Clay Hensley to be available tonight. Hensley was pitching for the third straight day on Monday and, as manager Edwin Rodriguez said afterward, "Clay Hensley was a little bit tired today and he showed that." Hensley gave up a home run and a pair of walks that turned into runs in the Rockies four-run eighth. Rodriguez told reporters beforehand that he intended to stay away from Jose Veras on Monday to give the reliever a breather. As a result, when Hensley folded, Rodriguez turned to Jhan Marinez -- probably not the best of situations in which to test the rookie. (Rodriguez said he didn't go with Burke Badenhop with the lefties Carlos Gonzalez and Jason Giambi due up after Jonathan Herrera, a switch-hitter).

   Had the Marlins not won Monday, Rodriguez said he was prepared to call a team meeting to go over all the mistakes that were made before Donnie Murphy's feel-good homer. "I think overall it was a very bad game for us," Rodriguez said. "We played very bad defense. We even threw to the wrong base twice. We didn't back up throws at home plate. It was a very bad game. It was nice to pull that out but, then again, I wasn't pleased with the way we played. It was a good thing we won that game because I was a little bit irritated and I think I would have said something today before the game, just to let them know we weren't pleased with the way they were playing."

    Chris Coghlan said his back was feeling much better Tuesday and he took some swings in the batting cage. But Rodriguez decided to give it another day. He said Coghlan could probably pinch-hit tonight. But it appears that Coghlan should be back in the lineup on Wednesday.

    Marlins: 1. Emilio Bonifacio, lf; 2. Wes Helms, 3b; 3. Hanley Ramirez, ss; 4. Dan Uggla, 2b; 5. Jorge Cantu, 1b; 6. Cody Ross, cf; 7. Mike Stanton, rf; 8. Ronny Paulino, c; 9. Nate Robertson. 

   

Comments

[Jorge]

GREAT!!!!

Edwin has a soul, unlike bff Fredi.

[Glags]

I guess not

[oneatatime]

While I hope they can unload Robertson, if not he seems to be OK the first time through the lineup so put him in the bullpen. Looking forward to seeing West or an improved Volstad

As to Monday's come from behind win, I was skeptical about using Veras, Hensley and Nunez for 3 consecutive games and while they sat Veras, I was surprised that Sanchez didn't start the 8th after pitching just 1/3 of an inning the prior day as well as completing the seventh. Hensley has been a big surprise, but he is all about command and obviously he had none Monday.