When the Marlins reveal their new team uniforms in November, don't be surprised if there's a splash of pink in the motif. Not just because Jeff Loria's taste leans toward the uber eccentric, or because he seems hellbent on removing all traces of the team's pre-stadium history. It is simply a look that works for the Fish, who rocked the pink accessories--in honor of Mother's Day and breast cancer awareness--to an 8-0 rout of the Nationals Sunday afternoon.
The Fish were in sweep avoidance mode in their series finale with Washington at Sun Life Stadium, and avoid it they did. Anibal Sanchez struck out a career-high 11 batters and again took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before a leadoff single by Laynce Nix busted it up. Sanchy would allow one more single in the seventh, and combine with Ryan Webb and Burke Badenhop to shut out the Nats.
The Marlins offense, led by Gaby Sanchez (who was 4-for-4 in the game with a walk, a single, two doubles and a home run) made up for Saturday night's puny 2-hit showing and jumped on Livan Hernandez for six runs through five innings.
Doubles by Gaby and Gregg Dobbs put the Fish on the board in the second inning, and they added another run in the fourth in similar fashion. Gaby led off with a double again, and Dobbs singled to drive him in.
Gaby continued his offensive tear in the fourth. After an RBI single from Hanley made it 3-0, Gaby connected on his fifth home run of the season, a 3-run shot to give the Marlins a 6-0 lead.
In the seventh, Chris Coghlan led off with a double off of Brian Broderick, and an RBI single by Mike Stanton brought him home. The Marlins rounded out their scoring in the eighth off of Henry Rodriguez. Bryan Petersen and Cogz walked, and two wild pitches later, @PeteyPipes had scored to make it 8-0.
The Fish have snapped their losing streak, and the first sweep of the season has been averted. Pink is the new teal.