Down On The Farm Miami Marlins Daily Report: July 6th

Mar 8, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Gorkys Hernandez (2) is forced out at first base as New York Yankees first baseman Dan Johnson (12) makes the catch in the third inning during spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Down On The Farm Miami Marlins Daily Report: July 5th

Triple-A:

Oklahoma City RedHawks (48-41) @ New Orleans Zephyrs (43-47)

Loss 5-6

Jake Smolinski, LF: 2-for-3, HR (5), R, 2 RBI, BB

Gorkys Hernandez, CF: 0-for-3, 2 BB, SB (22), R, SO

Rett Varner, SP: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 2 HR

Rob Waite, RP: 0.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB

New Orleans scored at least one run in each of the first four innings of the game, but were held scoreless the rest of the game. Three runs in the final two innings led the RedHawks to a walk-off victory. This despite Smolinski having a big offensive night, including his 5th homer of the season.

Double-A:

Jacksonville Suns (43-40) @ Chattanooga Lookouts (43-43) 

Postponed, Rain

High Class A:

Palm Beach Cardinals (38-46) @ Jupiter Hammerheads (43-41)

Win 3-2

Alfredo Lopez, LF: 3-for-5, R, BB, SO

Austin Nola, PH-SS: 2-for-2, RBI

Josh Hodges, 8.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 SO

Nick Wittgren, RP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, SO

Josh Hodges pitched a season high eight innings and limited the Cardinals to just one run on five hits. After a good start to the season as a starter, Hodges was used primarily as a relief pitcher for the past couple of months. He returned to the starting role for his last 3 appearances and finally had a solid start.

Low Class A:

Lakewood BlueClaws (31-53) @ Greensboro Grasshoppers (41-44)

Loss 3-10

Cody Keefer, LF: 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, R

Jesus Solorzano, RF: 2-for-4, R, RBI

Mason Hope, SP: 3.2 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, HR

Sean Donatello, RP: 2.0 IP, H, 3 SO

In an already disappointing season, Mason Hope had yet his worst start of the season, allowing nine earned runs on ten hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work. Hope has not progressed like the Marlins had hoped (I had to do it). On a bright note, Jesus Soloranzo continues to hit well for the Grashoppers, upping his season slash line to .281/.328/.432 for the season.

New York-Penn League:

Batavia Muckdogs (8-9) @ State College Spikes (11-8)

Loss 2-3

Austin Dean, LF: 3-for-4, SO

Avery Romero, 2B: 2-for-3, 2B (6), RBI

Trevor Williams, SP: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, SO

Justin Jackson, RP: 5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 SO

Avery Romero upped his batting average to .387 for the season after collecting two more hits on Saturday night. He has been on a tear to start the season and continues to have one of the best upsides of all Marlins hitters in the minors. Austin Dean has raised his average from near the mendoza line to a more respectable .254 average after a string of a few good games.

Rookie League:

Gulf Coast Cardinals (6-6) @ Gulf Coast Marlins (6-6) 

Loss 3-5 (Completed from 6/5) 

Rodrigo Vigil, C: 3-for-3, HR (1), R, RBI

Victor Castro, RF: 1-for-3, HR (1), R, RBI

Jose Adames, SP: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, ER, BB, 3 SO

Sean Townsley, RP: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 3 SO

Gulf Coast Cardinals (6-7) vs Gulf Coast Marlins (7-6) 

Win 3-0

Sharif Othman, C: 2-for-2, 2B (1), R, RBI, BB

Aaron Blanton, SS: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R, 2 SO

Gabriel Castellanos, SP: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 8 SO

Scott Maine, RP: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 SO

The GC Marlins and Cardinals were able to earn a double header sweep on Saturday, as the Cards finished off a win in a completed game from the night before. The Marlins had another strong start from Gabriel Castellanos, as they shutout the Cards offense in the second game. In three starts, Castellanos has a .75 ERA with 20 strikeouts and just two walks in 12 innings of work.