4 unearned runs in the second inning doomed the Marlins in a 6-4 loss to Houston. Finally getting strong offensive production, the Marlins were still downed. Kevin Orie’s error in the second kept the inning alive, allowing four runs to score. Dave Berg had four hits and Luis Castillo had three.

After a strong outing in the series opener. The Marlins have lose two in a row to the Chicago Cubs. Today, the Marlins lost 5-2. For the Marlins, Alex Gonzalez went 4-5, raising his average to .298, and Preston Wilson hit a 435 foot homerun to the upperdeck. For Wilson, it’s his team-leading 5th homerun.

Rejuvinated by the return of Alex Fernandez and Cliff Floyd, the Marlins shutout the Chicago Cubs 8-0. Fernandez pitched 4 strong innings before being pulled because of his pitch count. Edmondson came in and pitched 3-1/3 innings, striking out 3 and going 2-2 with two doubles and an RBI at the plate. Kotsay and Gonzalez both homered. Derrek Lee tripled. Jorge Fabergas drove in 3. Cliff Floyd debuted going 2-3 with a run scored.

Alex Fernandez was activated of the Disabled List and will start today in the opener against the Cubs. Rafael Medina was sent back to AAA Calgary. Cliff Floyd was also activated and inserted into the starting lineup just hours before the first pitch. Tim Hyers was sent down.

In another roller coaster game between the Marlins and the Braves, Florida’s bullpen lost the game in the ninth 5-3. Dennis Springer held the Marlins lead at 2-1 until an Andruw Jones home run made it 3-2. The Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a bases loaded walk. But in the ninth, Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Mantei allowed two Atlanta runs including a muffed sacrifice bunt attempt allowing Jones to steal home. Box Score.

Brian Jordan hit a two-run home run in the first and the Marlins never recovered losing 5-1 to the Atlanta Braves. Brian Meadows lost his first game of the year allowing 4 runs in 5 innings. Box Score.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first, the Marlins came back to take the lead, only to lose to the Braves 8-7. Jesus Sanchez struggled again, but the Marlins still maintained the lead by scoring 6 runs on Greg Maddux. But the Braves came back and held a Marlins ninth inning rally. Alex Gonzalez, Mark Kotsay, and Kevin Orie each had 2 hits. Gonzalez had a double and Preston Wilson had his first career triple. Box Score.

Currently filling in gaps in the Orioles line-up, Conine has hinted he wants to go back home (he and the family still live in South Florida). Conine would then join the Marlins front office or coaching staff when he retires.

Livan Hernandez threw a complete game, striking-out 9, and hit his first career home run, drove in 4 runs, to destroy the Braves 9-1. Hernandez went 2-3 at the plate and held the Braves to one run on 9 hits. Mike Redmond raised his batting average by almost 100 points going 4-4. Dunwoody and Orie each had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Box Score.

One day after scoring 7 runs, the Marlins were shut out by the San Fransisco Giants 4-0.