Yes, the Marlins were eliminate from playoff contention with 5 games left in the season. It was fun while it lasted.

Josh Johnson was incredible tonight, throwing the Marlins second complete game of the season holding the Braves to one run and striking out eight. I know the Fish have a long way to go to catchup to the Phillies and we’ve all heard about the 18 arbitration eligible players but when you look at Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Scott Olsen and even Andrew Miller you have to believe that this team is going to do really well very soon.

The Marlins have another day off today — perhaps a chance for the Marlins offense to regroup. Thankfully, Ricky Nolasco saved the team on Sunday (on the mound and at the plate).

Once again the Fish offense stayed very quiet but thanks to great pitching the Marlins managed a 2-1 win over the Cubs.

It’s all about the pitching.

Heading to the bottom of the ninth, you know we were all thinking the same thing — once again Wes Helms is coming up, followed by Hanley Ramirez, down a run. Hmm…

Wes went first, and just like the night before, struck out. Then came Hanley, and just like the night before, he hit a monster shot to tie the game. Jeremy Hermida broke the script, but Josh Willingham ended the game with his second home run of the night in the bottom of the 10th.

With a chance to move into first place, our Fish found new ways to lose, leaving Oakland with only 1 win in 3 games. Unlike the first two games, the Marlins never came back on Sunday. We sat behind home plate and watched Mike Rabelo make several mental errors, Andrew Miller repeatedly show his frustration, and Hanley Ramirez toss has bat, nearly hitting the A’s catcher.

Update: For those that wondered, we’ve now seen the Marlins play in 13 different MLB stadiums.

Update 2: Added more photos.

More Photos

We’ll remember this game from Dan Uggla’s game winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, but let’s not forget the incredible pitching by Andrew Miller (7 IP, 1 ER, 1BB, 7 SO) and Jorge Cantu’s two home runs. Sadly, only 14,122 showed up to watch another playoff-like match up between two top teams in the National League.

Update: And here is a Dan Uggla interview with ESPN:

Does it really take cow bells to draw a crowd in South Florida? Seriously? What about fun baseball from a winning team?

For 8 innings it looked like the Fish were going to continue their downhill spiral and then Mike Rabelo hit a 2-run home run followed by another 2-run shot from Hanley Ramirez (his seconf of the game) and the Marlins win 6-4. Oh, and Kevin Gregg did not blow the save.