Marlins Morning News: Two straight? Make that three straight wins for the Fish

Marlins News

Last week at this time, I wrote about the Marlins’ new funky new lineup with Giancarlo Stanton batting second. Well it’s working, as the Marlins won their third straight game, and fifth out of their last seven, since that lineup appeared. Stanton and Marcell Ozuna hit home runs to guide the offense over the Phillies, 7-2. Ozuna apparently has a history of doing damage with borrowed bats.

Justin Nicolino exited the game after a bunt gone awry left him with a “finger contusion”. He departed in the third inning, but is said to be okay. The opposing pitcher, Vince Velasquez, also was forced to leave in the second with an elbow flexor strain. He will be placed on the DL.

In the latest news regarding the sale of the team, Jeb Bush has dropped out of what we may now term “the Jeter group” attempting to buy the Marlins, likely because Bush wanted more control over operations despite investing a mere $20 million of the $1.3 billion asking price.

Miguel Rojas is on the DL, but that hasn’t stopped him from bat-flipping on his son. Hopefully, the kid knows the game’s unwritten rules.

Around the League

Bryce Harper and Hunter Strickland were each suspended for their role in Monday’s brawl, and both are appealing. Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta thought the fight was “awesome”.

Chris Sale returned to Chicago, the site of both the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre as well as Sale’s personal Throwback Uni Massacre in the more recent past. The only thing that got destroyed in this game, however, was Sale’s ERA as he gave up six runs, five earned, in five innings. He cut out early but carved a sixth win for himself as the Red Sox beat their colorless rivals 13-7.

Josh Donaldson is off the DL and back hitting monster homers for the Blue Jays. This one landed in the fifth deck of the Rogers Centre.

In other home run news, Albert Pujols hit his 599th. One more and he’ll be just the ninth major leaguer to 600.