Miami Marlins fall to Tampa Bay Rays 2-4 as Anibal Sanchez gives up two home runs - MLB Update
Starter Anibal Sanchez allows two home runs as the Miami Marlins face 2-4 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays in the third game of the three match series at Marlins Park, Miami, FL on June 10, 2012.
Against starter James Shields, the Marlins’ offence floundered. With lead growing, the Marlins needed someone in the middle to step up and trigger activity on bases. It was not forthcoming as the shortstop Jose Reyes wasted five at-bats.
First three batters in the line-up were hitless for the Marlins.
Second baseman Omar Infante failed to live up to his reputation. He spearheaded the Marlins’ offence during such situations for many games. Therefore, one was expecting similar kind of performance on Sunday.
He was hitless in four at-bats.
Third baseman Hanley Ramirez takes a nosedive. Far from what he was in May, he struggled to connect any hit in the game as he took his batting average down to .259.
Only player the Marlins can take positives from on Sunday was their left fielder Logan Morrison. As part of an all-out attack by the Marlins in later part of the game, he produced three hits and tried his best to plug the deficit.
Damage caused by the Marlins' starter Anibal Sanchez actually influenced outcome of the game. In six innings, he leaked four runs. As throughout rest of the game no more run was added, Rays managed to fetch victory from them.
Sanchez rued the missed opportunities. Talking about offence, he was of the view that lack of run support has betrayed the club frequently.
''The team is really down with the situation the way it is right now,'' he said. ''We're not scoring too much, and we're leaving too many on.''
The Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen while taking swipe at the offence questioned batters’ technique on plate in last couple of games.
''We've got to play better,'' Guillen said. ''We really were pretty flat at the plate all weekend.''
It has not been long time since the Marlins showed dominance. Month of May was an ideal for them from every aspect of the game.
They seem to have lost the way ever since. To reassert their strength as a time, next few games are going to be important.
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