NewsBaker faces off with boyhood team
Florida (43-41) at San Francisco (45-37), 10:15 p.m. ET
By Andrew Pentis / MLB.com
07/07/09 12:54 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- When the Marlins landed at Oakland International Airport for their three-game series against the San Francisco Giants starting Monday, catcher John Baker was home.Baker played amateur baseball at De La Salle High School and the University of California at Berkeley before the A's drafted him in 2002. But long before that, he grew up watching the San Francisco Giants, idolizing Will Clark and refusing to wear any jersey number but Clark's No. 22.
"It's nice to be back in California," said Baker, who still lives in Danville. "My career has taken me to the other side of the country. You get accustomed to the lifestyle.
"You have no control over where you're going to be."
You can count on Baker and the Marlins being at AT&T Park on Tuesday, however, as Florida continues its seven-game road trip before the break, with National League All-Star Josh Johnson on the mound opposing the Giants in Game 2 of their set.
Baker has seen firsthand how Johnson has gained consistency following his 2007 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in 16 of his 17 starts this season.
"He's been fantastic," Baker said of the Marlins ace. "He's kept us in every ballgame he's pitched.
"Having the luxury of a full Spring Training, we get to really see what he can do over an entire season, which is really exciting."
Baker has been no slouch himself. Aside from working alongside a young pitching staff, he's tied for third among NL catchers with seven home runs. Monday, he went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a strikeout against the Giants' own All-Star starting pitcher in Matt Cain, finding a home away from home playing for Florida.
Pitching matchup
FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (7-1, 2.76 ERA)
Johnson had his shortest outing of the season, allowing one run on five hits over 3 1/3 innings, in which he struck out three and walked four. The Marlins ace struggled from the start and did not appear to have his best command as he fell behind hitters throughout the outing. The big right-hander will look to rebound from his disappointing start against the Nationals when he takes the ball in San Francisco to face the Giants. Johnson has held the current crop of Giants to a .243 career average against him and has allowed just one extra-base hit, a double by Randy Winn.
Facing Florida has been a happy activity for Zito, who's 3-0 in four career starts against the Marlins. Typically a stronger performer in the season's second half (70-36, 3.47 entering this year, compared to 53-57, 4.14 in the first half), Zito probably wouldn't mind kicking himself into gear a start early. He has worked past the sixth inning in only one of his last six outings. The Giants are 3-3 in those games and 7-9 overall when Zito starts. Tidbits
Manager Fredi Gonzalez lamented Cody Ross (.277, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs) didn't make the National League's All-Star squad. ... Hanley Ramirez's injured right hip flexor was sore Monday. He was available to pinch-hit during Monday's game and could return to the starting lineup Tuesday. Emilio Bonifacio started in place of Ramirez at shortstop for the second consecutive game. ... Other injury notes: Anibal Sanchez (right shoulder sprain) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday. Alfredo Amezaga (knee bruise) still hasn't resumed baseball activity. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-F On radio
• WAXY 790, WAQI 710 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Marlins (Chris Volstad, 5-8, 4.85) at Giants (Ryan Sadowski, 2-0, 0.00), 3:45 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Andrew Miller, 3-4, 4.42) at Diamondbacks (Yusmeiro Petit, 0-3, 8.46), 9:40 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 6-6, 5.42) at Diamondbacks (Dan Haren, 8-5, 2.16), 9:40 p.m. ET
Andrew Pentis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
