Marlins/Rays Lineups Game 2

The Marlins called up Eulogio De La Cruz from Triple A to take Matt Lindstrom's roster spot. Lindstrom was sent down to the minors after Tuesday's loss to the Rays. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Lindstrom was sent down, because "it got to a point where we weren't using him. We need [Lindstrom] to be what he was last year."

De La Cruz has made one appearance with the Marlins this season pitching in the second game of a doubleheader against the Giants back on May 25. He pitched 3 innings and allowed two runs.

Here are the lineups for the second game of the Citrus Series between the Marlins and Rays.

RAYS-Iwamura-2b, Crawford-LF, Upton-CF, Hinske-1b, Longoria-3b, Navarro-C, Gross-RF, Zobrist-SS, Shields-P

MARLINS-Ramirez-SS, Hermida-RF, Cantu-3b, Willingham-LF, Uggla-2b, Jacobs-1b, Ross-CF, Treanor-C, Tucker-P.

Marlins sign Skipworth

The Marlins signed their first-round pick, high school catcher Kyle Skipworth, the sixth pick overall, and will bring Skipworth to Dolphin Stadium this afternoon.

“We are especially pleased that we were able to get a deal done with Kyle in a timely manner,” said Jim Fleming, Marlins vice president of player development and scouting.   “Kyle is an immense talent and we look forward to getting him started in our system.”

Skipworth, 18, posted a .543 (51x94) average with 13 home runs a 47 RBI in 30 games as a senior at Patriot High School in Riverside, CA.  The 2008 Gatorade National Player-of-the-Year recorded 18 consecutive base hits from March 17-29, establishing a new California State batting record, while also reaching base safely in 25 consecutive plate appearances. Prior to his junior season, the 6’ 3”, 195 pounder was a member of the gold medal-winning 16-under Youth National Team that competed in the Pan American Games in Venezuela, where he drove in a tournament-leading 16 RBI.  Going into his senior season he made the bronze medal-winning 18-under Youth National Team that participated in Ixtapa, Mexico.

   

Willingham's Back is Back & Citrus Series Game 1

Josh Willingham's back is better and the left fielder is back in the Marlins lineup tonight as the Citrus Series resumes against the Rays. Hanley Ramirez took the lead back from Miguel Tejada to start at SS for the NL in the All-Star Game on July 15 in Yankee Stadium....More on all that in a bit, but first here are the lineups.

RAYS- Iwamura-2b, Aybar-1b, Crawford-LF, Upton-CF, Longoria-3b, Navarro-C, Gomes-RF, Bartlett-SS, Sonnanstine-P.

MARLINS- Ramirez-SS, Hermida-RF, Cantu-3b, Willingham-LF, Uggla-2b, Jacobs-1b, Ross-CF, Hoover-C, Olsen-P.

BACK IN LEFT

Although he is not 100 percent healthy yet, Willingham said he's feels good enough to play.

"It doesn't hurt anymore so I don't think about it," said Willingham, of the herniated disk in his back. "There are good days and bad days, but it's manageable now."

Willingham is hitting .341 with 6 HR and 16 RBI. He missed 50 games as the Marlins went 25-25 without him.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he plans on playing Willingham every day.

"It's one of those things that when it acts up, it's going to act up," Gonzalez said. "The only time the Hammer is going to come out is if we pinch-run for him. If he comes out there's something wrong with him."

HANLEY PASSES MIGGY; UGGLA STILL CHASING CHASE

With 8 days left before voting closes for the 79th All Star Game, Hanley Ramirez passed Astros SS Miguel Tejada for the starting shortstop position on the National League team on Tuesday.

HR leads Tejada by 70,664 votes. Voting ends July 2 on mlb.com

Dan Uggla could possibly be the NL MVP this season, but if he's going to win the All-Star Game MVP, Uggla is going to have to make the team as a reserve.

Uggla, who leads the major leagues with 23 HR, is 4th among NL second basemen and trails the Phillies' Chase Utley by more than 1,500 votes.

Rabelo Sent to Minors

            

             Catcher Mike Rabelo felt so lousy because of his performance Sunday in Oakland that he said he wanted to take his shinguard and strangle himself with it.

             On Tuesday, the Marlins optioned Rabelo to Triple A Albuquerque and called up catcher Paul Hoover to take his place.

             The Marlins also added outfielder Josh Willingham to the roster.

            Rabelo allowed one run to score on Sunday because of a passed ball, and the A's scored three more runs in their 7-1 victory becuase Rabelo failed to tag a runner at the plate.

Uggla and the Fifth

               Dan Uggla may very well be the best No. 5 hitter in the majors, though you night receive some argument from Pittsburgh's Xavier Nady and Houston's Carlos Lee, among others.

                What about "fifths" in general?

               You've got your Fifth Amendment, Fifth Dimension, fifth of whiskey and Beethoven's fifth symphony. Any others out there worth mentioning?

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             If Jai Miller never spends another day in the majors, he'll become the 45th non-pitcher to strike out in his only career at bat. The Marlins called up Miller on Sunday to provide emergency help, stuck him in the outfield, and allowed him to hit against the Oakland A's.

            At least he went down swinging before the Marlins gave him his marching papers and sent him back to Albuquerque right after the game.

           If his stat line sticks for good, Jai Miller won't even go down as the only player with the last name Miller to whiff in his only at bat. Rod Miller of the 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers has that distinction.

          Now, can you name the only player who struck out in his only big-league at bat but was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

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Lineups -- Marlins/A's (Sunday)

Keep a scorecard handy. The Marlins now how three Millers on their roster, including today's starting pitcher, Andrew Miller. There's also reliever Justin Miller and outfielder Jai Miller, who was called up on Sunday from Albuquerque.

Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, DH Mike Jacobs, 2B Dan Uggla, LF Luis Gonzalez, 3B Wes Helms, CF Cody Ross, C Mike Rabelo (On the mound: Andrew Miller).

Athletics: 2B Mark Ellis, RF Ryan Sweeney, DH Jack Cust, SS Bobby Crosby, C Kurt Suzuki, LF Emil Brown, 1B Jack Hannahan, CF Carlos Gonzalez, 3B Donnie Murphy (On the mound: Justin Duchscherer)

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Badenhop to the DL; Outfielder Jai Miller Called Up

OAKLAND -- The Marlins placed right-handed pitcher Burke Badenhop on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday (retroactive to June 14) with right shoulder tendinitis and called up outfielder Jai Miller from Triple A Albuquerque.

The move was likely dictated by a groin injury on Saturday to Alfredo Amezaga, who did not sound confident when asked if he thought he could play Sunday's game. Amezaga started in center and was replaced by Robert Andino, who had not played the outfield before.

Miller, who has no major league experience, was hitting .245 with 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases for the Isotopes. A native of Alabama, Miller, 23, was chosen by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2003 first-year player draft.

His stay with the Marlins could be short -- perhaps no more than one game -- as the team is expected to bring outfielder Josh Willingham off the disabled list on Tuesday when they open a home stand against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lineups -- Marlins/A's (Saturday)

OAKLAND -- It's 92 degrees at the moment -- same as it was last night -- and the ball should continue to carry. Six home runs were hit in the A's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Marlins.

Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, 3B Wes Helms, 2B Dan Uggla, DH Luis Gonzalez, LF Cody Ross, C Matt Treanor, CF Alfredo Amezaga (On the mound: Rick Nolasco)

Athletics: 2B Mark Ellis, LF Ryan Sweeney, DH Jack Cust, 3B Eric Chavez, SS Bobby Crosby, 1B Jack Hannahan, C Kurt Suzuki, RF Carlos Gonzalez, CF Rajai Davis (On the mound: Dana Eveland).

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Lineups -- Marlins/A's (Friday)

                OAKLAND -- Welcome back! The Marlins have the A's tonight at McAfee Coliseum, which was known in its glory years as the Oakland Coliseum. The A's won three straight World Series titles here in 1972, '73 and '74, with eccentric owner Charley Finley running the show.

                The place could use a facelift. Think Shea Stadium, only with a foul territory that is much more expansive. There are few signs visible signs remaining of those big years when Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers and the gang were dominating the game. And "Charlie O" -- Finley's mascot mule -- is long gone, too.

             Here are the lineups:

             Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, DH Mike Jacobs, 2B Dan Uggla, LF Luis Gonzalez, 3B Wes Helms, CF Cody Ross, C Matt Treanor (Pitching: Mark Hendrickson).

             A's: 2B Mark Ellis, LF Ryan Sweeney, DH Jack Cust, SS Bobby Crosby, 3B Eric Chavez, C Kurt Suzuki, RF Carlos Gonzalez, 1B Daric Barton, CF Rajai Davis (Pitching: Rich Harden).

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Lineups -- Marlins/A's (Friday)

                OAKLAND -- Welcome back! The Marlins have the A's tonight at McAfee Coliseum, which was known in its glory years as the Oakland Coliseum. The A's won three straight World Series titles here in 1972, '73 and '74, with eccentric owner Charley Finley running the show.

               The place could use a facelift. Think Shea Stadium, only with a foul territory that is much more expansive. There are few signs visible signs remaining of those big years when Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers and the gang were dominating the game. And "Charlie O" -- Finley's mascot mule -- is long gone, too.

             Here are the lineups:

             Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, DH Mike Jacobs, 2B Dan Uggla, LF Luis Gonzalez, 3B Wes Helms, CF Cody Ross, C Matt Treanor (Pitching: Mark Hendrickson).

             A's: 2B Mark Ellis, LF Ryan Sweeney, DH Jack Cust, SS Bobby Crosby, 3B Eric Chavez, C Kurt Suzuki, RF Carlos Gonzalez, 1B Daric Barton, CF Rajai Davis (Pitching: Rich Harden).

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