Fish Wrap - Marlins 2, Padres 4

We interrupt your hurlage of breakable objects to bring you the recap of the Marlins series finale with the Padres. You know, in case you're in the mood to torture yourself by reliving the game.

The Fish were in sweep-avoidance mode Sunday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium, with Anibal Sanchez on the mound against Mat Latos. In keeping with the theme of the series (theme = San Diego being the better team), the Padres scored first. David Eckstein walked and Chase Headley singled him in to give the Friars an early 1-0 lead.

Sanchez pitched fairly well, but in the meantime, the Marlins continued their struggle to get on the board. They threatened a few times, at one point loading the bases with just one out, but their threats proved empty as scoreless inning after scoreless inning went by.

The Padres struck again against Sanchez in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out, and a Will Venable sac fly scored their second run of the game.

The Marlins finally managed to score in the top of the sixth. Cantu singled to lead off, but on a ground ball from Uggla, he was called for interference and the Fish were right back in a two-out, nobody on situation. But it turns out that Cantu was simply trying to stage a two-out rally. Cody Ross doubled, Ronny Paulino walked, and Bonifacio singled for the second time in the game (and the season, for that matter), to drive in the Marlins first run in 23 innings.

The Marlins went on to tie up the game in the bottom of the seventh when Cogz singled and scored on a base hit by Cantu, but of course the Marlins bullpen had plenty of time--what with two whole innings left in the game--to $#@! things up.

In the top of the eighth, Brian Sanches gave up a two-run homer to Will Venable to give the Padres a 4-2 lead that they would hold on to, and the Friars completed the sweep of the Marlins, who have dropped their last four games in a row.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled angst over the Marlins season. Amen.