Florida chose high school right-hander Josh Beckett with the second pick in the Major League Baseball Entry Draft. Beckett, from Spring High School in Texas, was the first high school right-hander taken as high as second since Bill Gullickson in 1979. He was 13-2 with an 0.39 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 89 innings this season. Beckett, 6-4, impressed scouts with a fastball that hits the mid-90s consistently, and a lively curveball.
Archie Corbin threw one pitch after coming of the DL before going back on the list. Rafael Medina was called up again to take his spot.
Preston Wilson continues his hot streak, hitting a 3-run shot, his 12th, leading the Marlins to a 10-2 beating of the St. Louis Cardinals. Ryan Dempster improved to 3-1, pitching 7 strong innings striking out 9 but walking 7. Luis Castillo had 3 hits – a single, a double, and a triple. Wilson and Bruce Aven also tripled. Box Score.
Archie Corbin was removed from the Disabled List and Brent Billingsley was sent back to AAA Calgary.
Marlins acquire minor league pitcher Brian Partenheimer from the Boston Red Sox for minor league pither Rob Stanifer.
The Marlins activated Mike Lowell who has completed his recovery from Cancer. Kevin Orie was placed on the Disabled List. With Kevin Millar’s performance at first, Derrek Lee was sent down to AAA and Tim Hyers was brought back to take his spot.
Preston Wilson’s two home runs, his 9th and 10th of the season, pushed the Marlins to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Brian Meadows earned his 4th win of the season as the Marlins win their second in a row. Mark Kotsay also homered and Luis Castillo and Alex Gonzalez continued their outstanding defense. Box Score.
Down 5-4 with 2 strikes and 2 outs in the top of the 9th, Kevin Millar hit a 3-run inside-the-park homerun over the outstretched arms of Sammy Sosa to give the Marlins a 7-5 win. It was Millar’s first career home run. Matt Mantei earned the win by striking out 4 in two innings with a wicked fastball. Alex Gonzalez, Jorge Fabergas, and Dave Berg each homered for the Marlins. Box Score.
Livan Hernandez dominated with a 124-pitch complete game victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1. Alex Gonzalez and Preston each hit home runs and newly promoted Kevin Millar tripled. Despite 3 early errors, the Marlins scored 9 consecutive runs as Livan cruised through the reaminder of the game giving the team their first 2-game winning streak of the season.
The struggling Todd Dunwoody was sent down to the AAA and Kevin Millar was called to take his spot. The Marlins feel that Dunwoody was slumping and needed to work on his game. This should serve as a wake-up call to other Marlins such as Derrek Lee.