By getting a long-term contract in just his third season, shortstop Hanley Ramirez will make a little history with the Marlins. But the Ramirez contract is just one of many in what is becoming a trend in baseball.
The Marlins returned to South Florida after their game Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds was rained out. No makeup date has been scheduled, though Sept. 22 is a strong possibility as both teams are off that day.
REDS 7, MARLINS 6 (10)
Awful turned to sensational for the Marlins, but ultimately it led to defeat. Paul Janish, who was making his major-league debut, singled with two outs in the 10th inning Wednesday night to give the Cincinnati Reds a wild, 7-6 victory over the Marlins.
It was Cody Ross' turn to take a stab in the leadoff spot Wednesday. If Ross gets hot, manager Fredi Gonzalez said, he would remain atop the order.
After a postponement Thursday night, the Cincinnati Reds kept their pitching plans intact for this weekend against Cleveland. And that means a marquee matchup: Edinson Volquez vs. Cliff Lee.
REDS 5, MARLINS 3
The Marlins stormed into Great American Ball Park with a head of steam. Now their goal is to leave on even terms after losing 5-3 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night for their second consecutive defeat.
Scott Olsen's left arm was alive and well Tuesday, eliminating concerns he had about its health after his fastball was missing its usual zip in his last start.
The home run is such a cheap commodity at Great American Ballpark that even though the Marlins hit three of them -- enough usually to assure a win -- the result Monday was an 8-7 setback to the Cincinnati Reds.
Is it the lineup shuffle? Or is it the change of months? Dan Uggla has no explanation. ''There's no reason,'' he said of his hitting surge.
Dan Uggla didn't like the feel of the pink bat he used in his first plate appearance Sunday afternoon, going back to his regular model for the remainder of the game.
Renyel Pinto is a different person on the mound than he is in the comfort of the Marlins' clubhouse. The reliever takes his job seriously, coming into games with a glare and a nasty changeup, and he's a big reason the Marlins' bullpen is one of the best in the league.
In the midst of a winning streak on and off the field, the Marlins are making another major commitment to their future. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez has agreed in principal to a six-year contract worth $70 million with the Marlins, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Ramirez, who would have been arbitration-eligible after this season, will be locked in with the Marlins and, barring a trade or injury, will start Opening Day of 2011 when the team hopes to open its planned stadium at the Orange...
Mark Hendrickson never heard the knock. Even if he had, he wouldn't have remembered it. He was 5 months old, asleep in his room, when the news was delivered to his mother on a November morning in 1974.
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
F redi Gonzalez, who has said managers make a difference in only five games or so a year, assuredly knows the Marlins are winning more because of his players.
MARLINS 11, NATIONALS 0
Andrew Miller gave the Marlins his best start Saturday night since coming over from Detroit, but the way the Florida bats warmed up the cool evening air, it truly wasn't needed.
As manager of the Nationals, Manny Acta gets to see Marlins' shortstop Hanley Ramirez more than he would like. Ramirez, who came into Saturday's game hitting .343 with 10 home runs and 22 RBI in 42 career games against the Nationals, is should see plenty of Washington pitching over the years once he signs his new six-year contract with Florida.
IN MY OPINION
Amazing things are swirling around the local baseball franchise. Miami began to behave like a major-league city by finally approving funding for a new stadium after years of starts, stalls and stops.
Ricky Nolasco was off to an outstanding start for the Marlins on Friday night, but with two outs in the fourth, the wheels came dangerously close to flying off.
Members of the Marlins ownership group, front office and players partied with more than 100 sponsors and season-ticket holders at a hotel in the nation's capital Friday night.
First baseman Mike Jacobs was out of the Florida lineup for the second consecutive game with tightness in his left quadriceps, an injury that came during Wednesday's game against Milwaukee.
