The Marlins, playing without some key players, beat the Jays tonight at the West Albany Babe Ruth field by a score of 9-2. Dennis Scimeca went the distance on the hill for the Marlins - pitching a great game and keeping the Jays off balance by throwing a good mix of fast balls, change ups and curves. Dennis gave up 7 scattered hits, striking out 6 and only walking 1 batter. The Marlins had a well-balanced scoring attack - scoring 2 runs in each of the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th innings plus a single run in the 3rd. The Jays scored once in the 1st and once in the 7th. Hitting standouts for the Marlins included the lead-off hitter Miles who went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI's and scored twice; Lochner going 2 for 4 with a single and a home run and 4 RBI's; and Clary going 2 for 4 and scoring twice. Mike Maiello started on the hill for the Jays and went 5 complete innings, giving up 5 runs but only 3 of which were earned. Andy Sheen finished the game for the Jays. Hitters for the Jays included Brian Maiello going 2 for 4 with a double and a single; Eplite with 2 singles; and Mitchell with a home run.
I didn't know what to expect Tuesday night as I got to the park. After all the Marlins were 0-2-1 in our last three games, and we were without the services of Randy Craft and Dave Mitchell. We had decided to give the ball to Golden and Platinum Marlin Dennis Scimeca in a tiny ball park. Well, I wasn't the only one who didn't know what to expect. Dennis and catcher Curt Coons kept the Blue Jays batters guessing, and guessing wrong all night. After a 2-1 first inning, this battery kept the Jays off the board until a meaningless solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. That was enough for the Marlins to get comfortable at the plate and do their damage. I was one of just two Marlins hitters to go hitless. The balanced attack was more of what I was used to as a veteran Marlin player, but what we struggled with in the previous three games. Dennis Scimeca even pitched in at the plate with an RBI bunt single. Yes, you heard that right: Dennis beat out a perfect drag bunt that scored speed demon Phil Gadomski from third. We probably won't see that one again anytime soon.
