At the midway point of the season, the Marlins are 29-52, a one game improvement from last season.

Rumors have circulated that the Marlins are trying to trade

Cliff Floyd has a slightly torn Achilles requiring a stay on the DL. Floyd is expected to miss 4-8 weeks. Archie Corbin was activated from the DL to take his spot on the roster.

The Dodgers have acquired Craig Counsell from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later.

Craig Counsell, most famous for scoring the winning run in game 7 of the World Series, was designated for assignment. The Marlins now have 10 days to trade him or waive him. Arizona or Colorado will be his likely destination. Counsell was acquired late in the 1997 series from Colorado for Mark Hutton. At the time, the team was desperately seeking a second baseman and Counsell filled the role perfectly. Last season, a pitch broke his jaw. This spring, he lost the starting job to Luis Castillo, who has had a very good year so far. Counsell recently vented frustration at his role as a pinch hitter. He was nearly traded to Arizona but the Marlins demanded more than reliever Amaury Telemaco. Former Atlanta Brave Danny Bautista, an outfielder, takes Counsell’s spot on the roster.

Kevin Orie was activated from the DL and Rafael Medina was sent down for the third time this season. Orie and Lowell will split duties in third base with Orie possibly playing first and the outfield.

The Marlins have recorded 7 consecutive victories following a double header sweep of the Baltimore Orioles. In game one of a double-header, Luis Castillo walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, bringing in Bruce Aven, to give the Marlins a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Down 1-0 through 2.5 hours of rain delays, the Marlins tied the game in the 8th when Dave Berg scored on an Alex Gonzalez sac fly. The win was the 6th in a row for the Marlins. Box Score. In game two, Tim Hyers and Dave Berg completed a combined 8-9 day when Hyers drove in Berg in the 7th to give the Marlins a 5-3 victory and a sweep of the double header. Box Score.

A see-saw game resulted in a Marlins 11-6 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, sweeping the series. It is the Marlins 5th consecutive win, a first since the 1997 season. Once again, the lineup produced huge numbers. Bruce Aven’s grand slam gave him the team lead in RBIs despite his temporary role. Tim Hyers’ four hits included two home runs. Mark Kotsay extended his hitting streak to 5 games. Craig Counsell got a start and had 3 hits. Box Score.

Down 4-0, the Marlins scored 8 runs in the 6th inning to earn their 4th consecutive win. Brian Meadows struggled, but still notched his 5th win of the season. Matt Mantei struck out the side in the 9th for the save. Jorge Fabergas and Mark Kotsay tripled in the 6th, as every Marlin reached base at least once.

Mike Lowell’s first major league home run, helped the Marlins overcome a McGuire homer and beat the Cardinals 4-2. Lowell’s great defensive play recorded the last out of the game, stopping the tying runs from scoring. Box Score.