Fish Wrap - Marlins 9, Rockies 8

This series opener had more drama than an episode of The Bachelorette... which, incidentally, I forgot to tivo during the game. But I digress.

Well, somebody must have finally sent the memo to the Marlins bats that the All-Star break ended last week, because they promptly came to life Monday night at Sun Life Stadium-- against Ubaldo Jimenez, no less. Unfortunately, the same person sent a memo to the Marlins bullpen, reminding them that they suck much worse than what they had been displaying the last several games. (The team just can't fire on all cylinders at once. Seriously. I think there is some sort of unwritten rule about that in the Marlins 2010 team manual).

Ubaldo Jimenez and Anibal Snachez faced off to open a four-game series between the Fish and the Rockies, and both pitchers tossed two scoreless innings before allowing runs in the third. Sanchez had two outs when some crummy defense by Jorge Cantu put Jonathan Herrera on base to keep the inning alive for Colorado. Carlos Gonzalez doubled, and Jason Giambi drove in both runs to put the Rockies up 2-0.

The Fish answered right back in the bottom of the inning, when Ubaldo was the victim of some crappy D from his own team. Mike Stanton singled and Ronny Paulino reached on an error before Emilio Bonifacio singled them both home. A throwing error by Jimenez allowed Boni to advance to third, and he scored on a bunt by Hanley Ramirez, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead after three.

Both pitchers would give up runs once again in the sixth inning. Anibal gave up a single to Hawpe and hit Barmes with a pitch before Ubaldo helped out his own cause with an RBI single. Seth Smith followed with an RBI single of his own, and the Rockies were back in the lead, 4-3.

The lead was short-lived, however, because in the bottom of the frame, Cantu singled and Cody Ross walked, and then Mike Stanton smashed his sixth home run of the season to put the Fish on top 6-4, and send Ubaldo to the showers.

The Marlins added another run in the seventh, and then the game took a slight downward turn for the Fish.

It had been 23 innings since the Marlins bullpen had allowed a run, but that ended when Clay Hensley gave up a home run to Ian Stewart to bring the Rockies within two. Hensley's struggles continued after the homer, and he walked two before Jhan Marinez came in to replace him. Unfortunately, Marinez didn't fare much better against Jonathan Herrera, who hit a home run to give Colorado an 8-7 advantage.

It seemed the Fish had wasted their shot at winning the game, especially since they had to face Huston Street--who hadn't given up a run since July 9th--in the bottom of the ninth inning. Street quickly recorded two outs before walking Dan Uggla, and then an unlikely hero emerged for Florida. Donnie Murphey pinch hit, and in fairy tale fashion, hit a two-run walk-off home run.

Marlins win!!!!!!!!!!!!!