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Two years ago, the Marlins were re-branded, revamped, and relocated to a new stadium. The glow quickly wore off after a losing season, and a salary dump which stripped the team of all talent not named Giancarlo Stanton. We all remember the backlash, the picket line outside Marlins park, the analysts deeming Jeffery Loria a crook, and the franchise hopeless.
Giancarlo Stanton will be participate in the home run derby as well as be the Marlins lone all-star. After LeBron James’ departure, he might be the best athlete left in Miami.
-Cishek hoping round of golf, better location with slider resolves struggles | Fish Bytes
Thursday's off day for the Marlins provided closer Steve Cishek an opportunity to accomplish two things: get in a round of golf at Bethpage State Park in Long Island (host of two U.S. Opens and 2019 PGA Championship) and to forget about blowing his third save of the season Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.
Henderson Alvarez won't be going back home to his native Venezuela for the All-Star break after all -- and he's not the least disappointed.
-Henderson Alvarez an All-Star | Fish Tank - Miami Marlins
St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, who riled Marlins fans last week when he chose his own third baseman over Casey McGehee for next week’s All-Star Game, picked Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez to replace injured Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmerman on the National League roster for Tuesday’s game in Minneapolis.
-Miami Marlins: Garrett Jones just misses first ever RBI-bunt single - Sun Sentinel
Garrett Jones has three bunt hits, including two this season, during his career. That he went for a fourth Friday wasn’t altogether surprising, except for the fact he did it with a man on third.
-Miami Marlins notes: Closer Steve Cishek hoping recent struggles behind him - Sun Sentinel
Steve Cishek has been through this before. The difference is his opponents aren't missing his mistakes. The Marlins' closer, Cishek opened the first half-ending weekend series against the Mets Friday having blown two of his last four save chances. He's still 20-for-23 on the season, but over his last seven appearances he's 0-3 with a 14.29 ERA.
-Miami Marlins: Henderson Alvarez replaces Jordan Zimmerman on All-Star squad - Sun Sentinel
Henderson Alvarez as planned will travel during the All-Star break. He's just making a course adjustment.
-Marlins add seven prospects from Dominican | marlins.com: News
The Marlins remain extremely active on the international signing front. Add seven more 16-year-old standouts to an already impressive list. All are from the Dominican Republic, and the list features right-hander Luis Mojica, lefties Gabriel Baez and Julio Frias, shortstops Samuel Castro and Ronald Reynoso, plus outfielders Juan Borges and Sleyter Soto.
-Timetable for Heaney's return falls on lefty's shoulders | marlins.com: News
At some point in the second half, the Marlins could regain the services of Andrew Heaney. Exactly when will entirely be up to how quickly the 23-year-old lefty fine-tunes his overall game. Before being optioned to Triple-A New Orleans following a rough outing in St. Louis on July 6, Heaney's weaknesses were exposed.
No ballpark, they say, can hold back Giancarlo Stanton. Target Field is about to find out where it stands. On Monday night, Stanton will be one of the most anticipated participants in the Gillette Home Run Derby. The Miami slugger will represent the National League on captain Troy Tulowitzki's squad.
-Marlins' Johnson, Baker excel in tough role as pinch hitters - Sun Sentinel
Start with the premise that baseball is a game of failure. Even the best hitters make outs the majority of the time. Then consider the added difficulty in getting at most one chance a game to succeed and maybe having to wait several days for another.
Around The League
-Pat Neshek's All-Star bid hits home for his brother Paul. | SportsonEarth.com : Pat Borzi Article
Paul Neshek will be on the field, at work with the Twins' grounds crew, on Tuesday night, silently rooting for his brother Pat to pitch for the National League in the All-Star Game. Given Pat's long journey to this point, it's an emotional homecoming for the whole family.
-Brewers heartbroken by death of Jean Segura's infant son | MLB.com: News
Brewers players spent Saturday morning trying to get ready for their game vs. the Cardinals while hurting inside for shortstop Jean Segura, who was informed following Friday's loss that his nine-month-old son, Janniel, had died suddenly in the Dominican Republic.
The Braves announced shortly before Sunday's contest against the Cubs that they suspended infielder Dan Uggla for one game. The club selected the contract of infielder Phil Gosselin from Triple-A Gwinnett late Saturday night as a corresponding move. Gosselin joined Atlanta in Chicago for the series finale at Wrigley Field.
-Name-calling earns Puig his second ejection | dodgers.com: News
Dodgers All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig was ejected in the third inning of Saturday night's 1-0 win over the Padres for calling plate umpire David Rackley "stupid" following his inning-ending strikeout on three consecutive called strikes.
At Fish Stripes
-Steve Cishek has changed his pitching repertoire - Fish Stripes
Hidden in the success (and recent struggles) by reliever Steve Cishek is the fact that the Marlins closer has changed his approach in a fundamental way.
-Miami Marlins' Steve Cishek looking to overcome late struggles - Fish Stripes
Miami Marlins closer Steve Cishek has struggled of late, and his last few shaky outings may have cost him a shot at the All-Star game. Cishek has saved 20 games in the first half for the Marlins.
-Who is Greensboro pitcher Sean Townsley? - Fish Stripes
A 6'7'' lefty has been tearing up the South Atlantic League for Marlins Low Class-A Greensboro in 2014. Sean Townsley, a 25th Round pick in 2013, has yet to run into a challenge in professional baseball that he hasn't overcome.
-Miami Marlins Daily Minor League Report: July 10th - Fish Stripes
Tyler Kolek makes his third start, Greensboro deals with rain, Michael Mader shines, and Jake Marisnick goes off.
-2014 MLB All-Star Game: Miami Marlins' Henderson Alvarez makes NL team as replacement - Fish Stripes
Henderson Alvarez was named to the 2014 National League All-Star team on Saturday afternoon as a replacement for Nationals starter Jordan Zimmerman. Miami has two All-Star representatives for the first time since 2010.
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