After back-to-back extra-innings losses to the Reds, the Marlins and Chris Volstad took the field Wednesday against Homer Bailey and Cincinnati to try and right the ship.
And, well, consider the ship righted. At least for the day. Good pitching, good defense, record-breaking RBI, a near cycle, and the Hopper's first career save were all it took to end the Marlins two-game losing streak. Too bad it wasn't televised, and hardly anybody got to see it. But, you know, there was a very good poker game on FSFL, so...
The Fish didn't have much trouble with Bailey. They got off to a quick start when Baker doubled to score Maybin and put the Marlins on the board in the first, and added another run in the second inning when Volstad helped out his own cause with a single that scored Gaby Sanchez from third.
Brett Carroll was activated from the DL Wednesday and made his season debut in left field. Cogz was banged up from his wild catch on Tuesday, and had the night off, and let's just say Brett made up for lost time. After a double in his first at bat, he launched a solo home run in the fourth inning, and finished the night a triple short of the cycle. Welcome back, BC.
All eyes were on Jorge Cantu as he attempted to extend his RBI streak to nine games, and set a new Major League record. After he grounded into a double play and struck out in his first two at-bats, Jorge launched a ball to deep left for a home run in the bottom of the fifth. With that RBI, Jorge has now driven in a run in all nine games to start the season. He's the first player to do so since the RBI became an official stat in 1920. (Hip Hip!...)
The Marlins added on in the sixth with another RBI from John Baker, and Homer Bailey's night was done after giving up five runs on eight hits through 5 1/3 innings.
Volstad went a little deeper into the game and had a 5-1 lead with two out in the seventh inning. Then, on his last pitch of the game, Vols served up a 2-run home run to Paul Janish to bring the Reds within two. Chris left the game after 6 2/3 innings, having allowed three runs on five hits, and 5 Ks.
As a grande finale to a great game, it was Burke Badenhop who was called on to close. Hopper tossed two perfect innings, and struck out Laynce Nix looking to end the game for his first career save.
Let's have another one like that Thursday, shall we?