Fish Wrap (Game 1) - Marlins 7, Phillies 1

Who the heck is Adalberto Mendez???

It was a question asked by many Fish fans as game one of the Labor Day double-header kicked off in Philadelphia. The career Minor Leaguer was called up to help an injury and suspension-riddled pitching staff make it through 18 innings against the Phillies, and the guy did his job.

In his Major League debut, Mendez tossed six shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit and struck out six Philths. And while the pitcher worked on ensuring Fish fans never forget his name, his teammates scored him some runs to ensure Mendez's first Major League victory.

They did it against another guy who was making his Big League debut for the Phillies, Vance Worley, who allowed two runs in his five innings of work. In the first, Logan Morrison walked and Dan Uggla singled him in. Then in the second, Chad Tracy hit his first home run as a Fish to make it 2-0. After that, the rookie pitcher settled in and didn't allow another run through the fifth inning. 

Things went south for Adalberto Mendez in the seventh, but not on the mound. He was pulled from the game in the top of the inning when he collected his first Big League hit, and pulled a muscle running to first. 

The Marlins added on in the eighth when Uggla doubled and Mike Stanton hit a two-out two-run shot to make it 4-0. Then in the ninth, the Marlins added three more runs. Helms walked, Bonifacio singled, and Hanley was hit by a pitch to load he bases with one out. Uggs hit a double to plate two runs, and Stanton singled to collect his third RBI of the game, and put the Fish on top, 7-0.

Will Ohman and Jose Veras pitched the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, and Jose Ceda was called on the get the last three outs of the game in his Major League debut. Trouble was, he couldn't even get one out.

Ceda gave up a lead-off double to Ryan Howard and an RBI single to Jayson Werth to end the shutout. Next he walked Raul Ibanez, and Edwin had seen enough. Clay Hensley got the call from the bullpen and induced a double play and a groundout to end the game, and the Marlins are four games over .500 for the first time this season. At least for the next few hours.

Game two of the double-header is next.