Tickets for the first round of the playoffs were made available. The Marlins will play the winner of the West (the Giants have a 2-game lead) at the Stadium on September 30 and October 1. Expect Kevin Brown to start the first game and either Al Leiter or Alex Fernandez to start the second.

Garry Sheffield‘s 16th Home Run of the season clinched a come-from-behind victory as the Marlins swept the Orioles, the team with the best record in baseball. Combined with Atlanta’s loss, the Marlins are only down 2 games in the loss column to the Braves.

Craig Counsell‘s first career home run, a grand slam, lead the Marlins to a 7-1 thrashing of the Cardinals. The Marlins are only 4 games behind Atlanta, and 5 ahead of San Francisco for the NL Wild Card.

With an 8-6 come-from-behind victory in Houston and a Braves loss, the Marlins gained another game on the Braves. The Marlins are only 3 out in the loss column while the Braves have played 3 more games. Alex Fernandez continues to dominate striking out ten to improve his record to 15-8. Nen saves his 30th game in 36 attempts.

Marlins beat the Braves 4-2 on Saturday on the back of Conine and Bonilla home runs, and RBIs by Renteria and Sheffield.

Charles Johnson hit a 3-run home run and Alex Fernandez recorded his 14th win, as the Marlins beat the braves 6-4 cutting the lead in the NL East to 4-1/2 games. CJ has hit 9 home runs since the All-Star break.

The Marlins traded RHP Pat Rapp to the San Francisco Giants for two prospects. Livan Hernandez claims the fourth spot in the Marlins pitching rotation.