Fish Bytes

Meyer was once a boo bird too

PHILADELPHIA -- Marlins reliever Dan Meyer was once a member of the boo gallery here in Philadelphia. Meyer, who grew up in nearby Woodbury, NJ (about a 15 minute drive from Philly), shared a few stories with us yesterday about his childhood and what it was like coming to Veterans Stadium when he was a kid.

Meyer knows well you need to have thick skin to play in the city of brotherly love. So, when he came in to pitch in the seventh inning in Monday's 5-3 win against the Phillies, he felt right at home when the boo birds began chirping.

"I watched them boo Santa Claus when I was eight," said Meyer, referring to the infamous Eagles game in which a man dressed as Santa Claus was booed during the game. "You can be the hero one night and the next night they’ll bury you. Philly fans are known for being the hardest fans in sports. I’m a diehard Eagles fan. So, I fit right in."

Meyer, who said he attended about 5 to 10 baseball games a year growing up, admitted he used to be one of the kids who would harrass opposing pitchers during warmups. There's one story that stays with him to this day.

"When I was like 10, I was trying to harass Randy Johnson," Meyer said. "It’s kind of an embarrassing story. I was a nine year old kid. I had a baseball and I wanted him to sign it for me. He was doing his work. Now, I understand. But at the time, I wanted him to sign my ball. So, I went from being the nice kid to yelling at him. Some of the stuff I said wasn't very nice... I can only wish and hope and play as long as he has.

Would he like to ask Johnson about it when the Giants visit the Marlins June 5-8? "There’s no way he remembers it," Meyer said laughing. "It would be funny if he did. But I know I’m just a piece of dust in his life."

Better curveball helping Volstad

PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Volstad could have lost his cool when Ryan Howard tattoed his second home run of the game off him to start the sixth inning Monday night. The 22-year old right-hander could have put the Marlins tired bullpen in another predicament.

But he didn't. He kept working. And he picked up five more huge outs for the Marlins, who instead of blowing another lead, added to it and protected it one of the few times this month. Wes Helms will get most of the credit for the Marlins win, but nothing means more to this team right now than getting efforts like they got from Volly.

"We had a good outing yesterday by JJ and another good one by Volly in a tough ballpark and that’s a good sign," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Now, we got to get that rolling a little bit, hope our starters keep it going."

The Marlins won back-to-back games for only the third time since their 11-1 start and for the first time since they won the first two at Colorado.

Volstad was able to make that happen because his curveball was working. After the game, he admitted he's been using it more and keeping hitters off more. It was the first thing Gonzalez talked about.

"I think it all started with that curveball," Gonzalez said. "It didn’t look like they were taking very good swings off him. They were pounding the strike zone. You are going to give up home runs to a hitter like Howard, who is a hell of a hitter. But I’m very encouraged by the way he pitched, the way he kept his cool."

Catching up with rookie Chris Coghlan

PHILADELPHIA -- Rookie left fielder Chris Coghlan is learning quickly you got to be ready for anything with the Marlins. An infielder in college and the minors, he's just begun getting used to playing in the outfield again (and for the first time since he was in Little League).

Monday against the Phillies, he experienced another first with the Fish -- batting leadoff. "It's probably the first time I'm going to do that since high school," said Coghlan, who took the top spot in place of Emilio Bonifacio, who got the night off. "I'm not looking at it any different. [Bench coach] Carlos [Tosca] told me you have a great approach, just be yourself. The way I see it, leading off is just for the first inning. You just want to be a tablesetter."

Don't count on Coghlan be the tablesetter for long. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Bonifacio will be back in the spot Tuesday. But down the road, you never know.

“I definitely feel he can give you good at-bats,” Gonzalez said of Coughlan, who was 5-for-32 in the Marlins homestand. “It’s funny because if you didn’t know the batting average and were just watching the games, you are thinking he’s hitting higher than he’s hitting. You think .280 with the at-bats and the walks. I think the batting average will come. I think he can handle it.”

Although his numbers aren't great right now (.191 batting average, 7 walks, 12 strikeouts), Coghlan has more patience than Bonifacio and has better than average speed, too. In two seasons in the minors, Coghlan stole 63 bases and was caught just 17 times.

"I'm not a guy who is a burner. I'm definitely not Bonifacio and there are guys who are faster than me on this team. But I consider myself a fast baserunner," said Coghlan, who has just one steal in 15 games. "I go off my instincts, what I feel. Obviously in the minor leagues you are able to run more. Up here, you have Hanley [Ramirez] behind you and you don't want to chance the out. And in the eight hole, it's the same thing with the pitcher behind you."

As for his fielding, Coghlan (who has two errors) feels like that is coming around too. “I feel a lot better. Cody [Ross] and [Jeremy Hermida] Herm help me a lot, give me advice,” Coghlan said. “I’m just learning on the fly. I try to make it as simple as possible, make the routine plays and hit the cutoff guys. That’s what Bo [Porter] preaches. Read the ball and make no false steps. That’s what I try to do.”

A couple more quick notes from before the game...

> Manager Fredi Gonzalez said former Marlins starters Anibal Sanchez and Rick VandenHurk have been making good strides in their comebacks from injury. Sanchez pitched three innings in a simulated game Sunday and will pitch a side session Tuesday before getting a start Thursday in Jupiter. VandenHurk threw three innings for the Hammerheads, tossing 54 pitches and giving up three hits, one run, two walks and striking out three. VandenHurk will pitch on the side Wednesday and start Saturday in Triple A New Orleans. Both pitchers will throw between 70 to 75 pitches in their starts.

> The loss of workhorse left-hander Renyel Pinto (elbow inflammation) hurts. The Marlins are down to just one lefty in their bullpen -- Dan Meyer. The good news, though, is their right-handed relievers have been doing a pretty good job against lefties. Entering Monday, left-handed opponents were hitting .200 off Kiko Calero (5-25, 8 BBs, 8 Ks), .186 off Leo Nuñez (8-43, 11 Ks, 7 BBs), .091 off Brian Sanches (1-11, 1 BB, 1 K) and .250 off Matt Lindstrom (10-40, 9 Ks, 9 BBs).

> Burke Badenhop will start Wednesday against the Phillies -- his first start since May 18 of last year.The right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 5.75 ERA in 20-1/3 innings pitching in long relief. With a day off between series Thursday, Gonzalez said it would give his bullpen time to rest.

Badenhop told me he feels like he's done well in spots, but has to avoid the big inning. "There have been a couple outings that have hurt me statistically wise," Badenhop said. "I think my last three I’ve left guys on base. I really strive to finish innings and those have kind of killed me. I threw two shutout innings against the Dodgers and then I give up four. The D-Backs game I leave two on. Those runs -- I have to completely shut those off. But otherwise, I think I’m doing alright.

Marlins sparkle in win over Dodgers

There's a really good chance Saturday night was the last time the Marlins are going to have Pom Pom giveaway night. In case you weren't at Land Shark Stadium you probably missed the silver lining in the Marlins 6-3 win over the Dodgers.

It was all over the field -- silver strands from the 15,000 pompoms given away before the game. Fans spent most of the night tossing those strands in the air, which eventually landed on the field. Players weren't happy. Dan Uggla called the situation "brutal." John Baker, who hit a two-run home run to break a 2-2 tie in the fifth, got deeper.

"Absolutely brutlal,'' Baker said. "The thing that was really frustrating is you look up and see people shaking them like its a joke. Its frustrating when stuff is flying all over the field and they're shiny and they hit the lights... I think you focus for the moment and your OK. But seeing stuff all over the baseball field... baseball is obviously America's past time and to see like that all over the field is very frustrating for a player."

Of course, at least they won and they were plenty of encouraging signs.

Andrew Miller's five innings in his first start since he went on the DL April 20th with an oblique strain wasn't glorious. But he picked up the win and got stronger as the game progressed.

"His final two and half innings were outstanding," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "His breaking ball was good, his fastball outstanding. That was a good start for Andrew."

Baker agreed. "I felt he did great. I think he made a breakthrough in the middle of the game. Anybody could see it watching on the velocity from the third inning on. [Pitching coach] Mark [Wiley] told him if your going to miss, miss throwing your good stuff. All of a sudden, you see 93, 94, 95 and it turned around for him. You have to give him credit battling through a shaky start. That's a tough lineup even without Manny Ramirez in it."

> After the game we learned utility man Alfredo Amezaga injured his left knee rounding third base in the eighth. Gonzalez said Amezaga would get reevaluated before Sunday's game. It's the same knee Amezaga hurt while playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Marlins want to give relievers relief

The Marlins haven’t done many things well over the last month – except get good production from their bullpen.

After Friday night’s loss to the Dodgers, they made a move to try and make sure that production doesn’t slip – sending outfielder Brett Carroll down to the minors to make room for Saturday night starter Andrew Miller and keep a total of 13 pitchers on the roster. According to manager Fredi Gonzalez, having the extra arm will help alleviate some of the extra work his relievers have had to do this season.

Entering the weekend series, the Marlins bullpen was fourth in the majors in innings pitcher. Kiko Calero, who pitched a third of an inning and walked two batters Friday, leads the majors in appearances with 21. Left-handers Renyel Pinto and Dan Meyer aren’t far behind.

“You don’t want these guys worn out by the end of June,” Gonzalez said. “So by having the extra arm, it’s going to protect us.

“Now, on the other hand, we’re going to have to wait until late in the game to make a defensive move to improve our defense in the outfield. But I feel like [rookie Chris] Coghlan isn’t that far away… I think the more he’s out there, the more comfortable we’re going to be having him out there in games.”

The Marlins aren’t the only team in baseball who have 13 pitchers on their 25 man roster. The Dodgers are one of a handful of teams that do, too.

As it stands, that leaves the Marlins with 12 position players or four backups – utility man Alfredo Amezaga, catcher Ronny Paulino, third baseman Wes Helms and outfielder Ross Gload. Gonzalez said if the Marlins ever got into a pinch at catcher, they’d have three guys they could turn to – Coghlan (who caught in high school), Helms and Amezaga.

“I’m pretty sure Amezaga could do it. I’ve asked him,” Gonzalez said. “But he told me ‘You don’t want me back there.’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said ‘I’ll show all your catchers up. I’ll embarrass them all.’ And you know what, he may. But I’m pretty sure we’d have to get him high school shin guards.”

THE LINEUP
In the midst of facing the second of three consecutive Dodger lefties, Gonzalez has decided to give catcher John Baker a rare start against a left-hander tonight. “I didn’t want him sitting out for three days,” Gonzalez said.

Baker is hitting .182 this season (2-for-11) vs. southpaws. Ronny Paulino, who went 0 for 2 against Eric Stults Friday, will start Sunday against Clayton Kershaw.

Saturday's Marlins lineup: 1. Bonifacio 3B, 2. Coghlan LF, 3. Ramirez SS, 4. Cantu 1B, 5. Baker C, 6. Uggla 2B, 7. Hermida RF, 8. Ross CF, 9. Miller P.

SOUND BYTES: For those of you who would like to hear complete interviews from the postgame and pregame interviews we conduct, a page has been created here on MiamiHerald.com where we upload the audio we collect. I uploaded interviews from last night's game as well as what Joe Torre had to say about Manny Ramirez's meeting with the team yesterday. Check it out: Marlins audio.

Anibal plays catch; JJ says he feels fine

LANDSHARK STADIUM -- Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said he got a bit worried Friday afternoon when he got called off to the side by head athletic trainer Sean Cunningham. Was it going to be more bad news for the pitching staff?

Nope. Cunningham wanted to Gonzalez the best news he's heard in weeks -- that Anibal Sanchez was up and throwing again. The Marlins right-hander, who left his previous start on May 7th against the Braves with a sore shoulder, played catch for about 10 minutes Friday and could be throwing from the mound before the team's 10-game homestand ends on May 24th.

“He came in today, said he felt good," Gonzalez said. "In Colorado, they told me three, four weeks before he picks up a ball. Sean told me his range of motion was good, and strength was good. That is very encouraging."

Sanchez said he still isn't sure when he could pitch. The Marlins have said they think it could be up two months. “I feel good,” Sanchez said. “Depending how I feel in the next couple days, I should know a little more. I don’t know how much time it’s going to be. But I don’t have any pain.”

As for staff ace Josh Johnson, it appears his short outing in Milwaukee was just a scare. Johnson, who told reporters his shoulder just didn't feel right, said Friday it was more like "a one day thing." He said he was given a strength test and passed it. He threw on Friday and said he's on schedule for his regular bullpen session Saturday.

"I don't have any pain at all," Johnson said. "That's good."

The Marlins lineup: 1. Bonifacio 3B, 2. Coghlan LF, 3. Ramirez SS, 4. Cantu 1B, 5. Uggla 2B, 6. Hermida RF, 7. Ross CF, 8. Paulino C, 9. Volstad P.

Proctor opts for season-ending surgery

The Marlins won't get a chance to see Scott Proctor pitch for them this season and they probably never will. Following a visit with Dr. James Andrews, the veteran right-hander has elected to have Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his season for the Marlins. It doesn't come as a surprise, but at least we now know its official.

The Marlins signed Proctor for $750,000 in the off season despite the fact he was coming back from surgery for a partially torn tendon. They were hoping he'd become one of their top setup men. Thankfully for the Fish, the bullpen has turned out just fine with the emergence of Kiko Calero, Dan Meyer and others.

Tonight's Marlins lineup in Milwaukee: Bonifacio, 3B; Hermida, LF; Ramirez, SS; Cantu, 1B; Uggla, 2B; Paulino, C; Ross, CF; Carroll, RF; Koronka, P

Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) leaves game in fifth

Frustrating losses are beginning to become compounded by frustrating injuries. Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez appears to be the latest casualty. Trailing 4-1 in the fifth inning, Sanchez left today's game with what we were just told was right shoulder discomfort.

The fourth pitcher in Marlins history to toss a no-hitter had just thrown a strike to Jeff Francoeur when he looked down in frustration and failed to keep his glove up to haul in the throw back from catcher Ronny Paulino. A trainer came out to check on Sanchez before manager Fredi Gonzalez came out and replaced him with right-hander Burke Badenhop.

Sanchez began the 2008 season on the disabled list after missing most of the 2007 season following right shoulder surgery. He left Thursday after giving up seven hits and four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Marlins are expected to get their fifth-starter Andrew Miller back on May 16th. But they'll likely need someone to pitch in Sanchez's next scheduled start which was supposed to be Tuesday at Milwaukee.

Sanchez has given up 16 earned runs in his last three starts, which have gone a combined 14 2/3 innings. That's a 9.81 ERA.

Marlins giving up grand slams at record pace

CHICAGO -- There's something about the Marlins pitching staff that doesn't feel so grand anymore. No, it's not just the fact Fish starters haven't won a game since April 16.

It's that they're giving up grand slams at record pace -- one every five games. Derrick Lee's fifth inning home run off starter Ricky Nolasco was the fifth the Marlins have surrendered in 25 games this season. It's also the third this week. The Marlins gave up just three last year. The team record for grand slams allowed? Seven, set in 2000 and 2001. But that was over a 162 game schedule.

Here's a look at who has taken the Marlins deep with the bases loaded...

> Austin Kearns off Josh Johnson on April 18 in the Marlins 9-6 extra innings win.
> Shane Victorino off Matt Lindstrom April 24 in Phillies 7-3 come-from-behind win.
> Omir Santos off Anibal Sanchez in the Mets 7-1 win Monday.
> Ryan Theriot off Burke Badenhop in Friday’s 8-6 loss to the Cubs.
> And Derrick Lee of Ricky Nolasco in the fifth Sunday. The Cubs currently lead 6-3 in the sixth.

Friday notebook: Hanley will play with pain

CHICAGO -- After going four games without Hanley Ramirez in the lineup, the Marlins look like they will be getting him back full-time beginning Saturday -- pain included.

Ramirez, who couldn't take more than 10 swings off a tee Thursday because of the pain in his right wrist, got two at-bats in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Cubs after entering the game in the seventh.

He walked in his first plate appearance, then batted with the tying run on base and with two outs in the ninth. But he missed an 0-2 pitch from former Marlins closer Kevin Gregg and flew out to center field to end the game.

‘‘It pinches each time I swing, but I've got to go with it," said Ramirez, who was unable to persuade manager Fredi Gonzalez before the game to get back into the starting lineup.

‘‘I feel it every time I grab the bat. But I can swing. The swelling is a little bit better. But I've got to take it. I want to be out there."

Had the Marlins been able to hold on to their 5-2 lead, there was a very good chance Ramirez would have waited until Saturday to play. According to Gonzalez, his plan was to give Ramirez another day off. But after the Cubs took the lead, Gonzalez made the move.

‘‘He's good to go," Gonzalez said. "He had two good at-bats, and he'll be good to go tomorrow."

FANCY GLOVE WORK: After making the game-saving catch in the ninth Thursday, Alfredo Amezaga was flashing his leather again Friday.

First, he denied Derrick Derrek Lee of a single in the third by diving deep in the hole -- about three feet into the grass in left field -- and throwing out Lee by a step at first. Then, with runners at the corners in the fourth, he yanked an Alfonso Soriano grounder around the same spot and got the force out at second to end the inning.

All around, it was a good day for the Marlins defensively. Third baseman Emilio Bonifacio made a leaping snag with the bases loaded in the second, and then a diving stab down the third-base line in the seventh.

‘‘They made some gems over there, and [Jorge] Cantu had one, too, at first base," Gonzalez said. "I'm real pleased with the way Boni is developing. It looks like he's real comfortable over there at third base.

‘‘Amezaga, if it wasn't that we got the loss, he would have won the game again. He's amazing.”

SCORING CHANGE: Major League Baseball made an official scoring change in Jeremy Hermida's favor for the April 28 game at New York.

A sixth-inning play that was originally charged an error to David Wright has been changed to credit Hermida with an infield single and RBI.

Not sure why the notebook didn't get online, but this is what ran in Saturday's local newspaper.