Anibal Sanchez continues dominance, Hanley Ramirez delivers walk-off hit, Marlins 3 D-Backs 2

I would like to apologize for my lack of activity the past few days. With finals and work, I have been extremely crunched for time. I will have my last final finished up tomorrow and my activity should then return to where it had been before. Hopefully the Marlins can win a lot more games during that period as well.

The Miami Marlins had lost 6 straight games going into the game last night, and after the first inning, it seemed as if that losing streak would be extended to seven games. The Marlins, though, made a dramatic comeback and took the second game of the four game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hanley Ramirez delivered the walk-off, but Anibal Sanchez was dominant as ever in this game. The Diamondbacks are the team that Sanchez threw hit no-hitter against in his rookie season.

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The first inning did not get off to exactly the start that Anibal Sanchez had it scripted to start. Willie Bloomquist led of the game with a double. Gerardo Parra drove him in with a double of his own. With that, most Marlins fans probably felt that the game was already out of hand. Who could blame them? The opposing team having a 1-0 lead has felt like a blowout this season. Sanchez then struck out Justin Upton and Jason Kubel back-to-back. Miguel Montero then delivered a run scoring single to make the score 2-0, or in the minds of Marlins fans, 20-0.

Sanchez continued his first inning struggles by walking the next two hitters. He finally settled down and struck out Ryan Roberts to end the inning. The Marlins had a chance to respond in the bottom of the inning, with Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez on board with just one out, Logan Morrison grounded into a double play, the Marlins league leading 29th double play.

Sanchez continued his struggles in the second inning. Sanchez walked Ian Kennedy, the pitcher, and Bloomquist back-t0-back to start the inning. Sanchez then settled into a groove and was completely dominant the rest of the game. He was able to strike out the side in the second inning, and had a line of 6 strikeouts and 4 walks through two innings.

Sanchez would finish the game with 14 strikeouts and retired each of the 18 hitters he faced after walking Bloomquist. Anibal was able to provide the Marlins with another great start. Sanchez lasted 7 innings allowing just 3 hits and those 2 first inning runs.

Ian Kennedy was equally as dominant on this night as well. Kennedy went 6.1 innings, striking out 6 and walking 4. Kennedy allowed only one run, that coming in the inning he was lifted, the seventh. Kennedy left the game with the lead, only to feel the same frustration Marlins pitchers have felt this season, to come out with a no-decision.

In Kennedy’s final inning, Ozzie Guillen sent up a pinch hitter that he was hoping not to use on Saturday evening. But with the Marlins bats struggling again, the manager decided to make the move. Omar Infante led the inning off, pinch hitting for Anibal Sanchez. Promptly, Infante led the inning off with a triple. Jose Reyes then drove him in with a single. The Marlins chipped into the lead and were down just 2-1 going into the eight inning.

Randy Choate pitched an uneventful eight inning. The defensive play of the game, and maybe the series took place in this inning. On a sharply hit grounder to second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, Bonifacio was able to make a diving stop going into right field and threw off-balance to nail Montero at second. It was a great play by Bonifacio.

In the bottom of the eight inning, David Hernandez was called on to pitch for the Diamondbacks. The first hitter he faced, tied the game up at two a piece. That hitter was none other then Logan Morrison. This was Morrison’s second game tying hit in the past week. He also delivered a game tying home run off of Brad Lidge and the Washington Nationals last Saturday.

Morrison sent the Marlins to the ninth inning with a renewed sense of pride. The Marlins had tied the game up and would have a chance to win the game in the bottom of the inning. Steve Cishek pitched an uneventful ninth inning to give the Marlins a chance to win another home game in dramatic fashion.

The inning started with Chris Coghlan striking out. Giancarlo Stanton, pinch hitting, then got a single and was moved to second base on an Emilio Bonifacio ground out to first. The Diamondbacks decided to walk Jose Reyes, to face the 0 for his last 26 Hanley Ramirez. As it turned out, that was not the best idea for the D-backs.

Hanley came through again with a game winning single,  his third game winning hit for the Marlins this season, second walk-off. Ramirez busted out of his slump in a big way and helped the Marlins snap their 6 game losing streak. Cishek picked up the win for the Marlins.

Marlins fans are hoping that this victory can break the Marlins and Ramirez out of their hitting slump. The Marlins will send Josh Johnson to the mound today to face Wade Miley. The game will start at 1:10 EST PM. Tune in or head out to the ballpark to catch the Marlins in action today. Hopefully JJ can build on his strong start last time out.

Prediction: The Marlins offense finally comes to life and Josh Johnson has a strong start. Giancarlo Stanton will go deep for the first time and the Marlins will win 6-1.

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