NewsBonifacio has fond memories
Florida (45-43) at Arizona (37-50), 8:10 p.m. ET
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
07/11/09 1:47 AM ET
PHOENIX -- Eight years ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Emilio Bonifacio as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic. For the first time as a Marlin, Bonifacio is back in Arizona taking on his former team. Bonifacio has been a fixture at third base for the Marlins. For most of the week, however, he played shortstop because Hanley Ramirez was recovering from a tight right hip flexor. Ramirez was back in the starting lineup on Friday, meaning Bonifacio was back at third. In the series opener against the D-backs on Thursday night, Bonifacio laced a triple down the right-field line. It was his team-leading third three-base hit of the season. The Marlins and D-backs play the third game of their four-game set at Chase Field on Saturday. The D-backs are sending right-hander Jon Garland (4-8) to the mound, while Florida is countering with rookie Sean West (3-3). Garland has lost six straight decisions over a nine-start span. His last win was on May 19, against the Marlins. For Bonifacio, returning to Arizona brings back fond memories. "When I was in their organization, they always were a contender in their division," Bonifacio said. "It was nice to come up with them. They gave me my first chance to make it to the big leagues." Bonifacio made his MLB debut with Arizona in 2007, appearing in 11 games and getting just 23 at-bats. He made eight appearances in 2008 before he was sent to the Nationals as part of the trade for reliever Jon Rauch. During his time with Arizona, Bonifacio had the opportunity to pick up pointers from Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson, who is now with the Dodgers. "I talked to him a lot in Spring Training," Bonifacio said. "Most of the time, he talked about different things with me. He said, 'When you are playing second, you've got a lot of time to get the ball, and get the out.' Sometimes when you are at shortstop or third, you've got to hurry up. You don't have that much time." The Marlins acquired Bonifacio from the Nationals last November as part of the Scott Olsen/Josh Willingham trade. Because Florida has Dan Uggla, a two-time All-Star at second base, the speedy Bonifacio was switched to third in Spring Training. Predictably, he's had some struggles at the position. Overall, he's made some progress. And the reason the Marlins are committed to him is because he has game-changing speed. "You always would like to play better," Bonifacio said. "But I've been learning and I'm working hard to try to help the team." The Marlins feel comfortable playing Bonifacio at shortstop when Ramirez either needs a rest, or like this past week, he's been dealing with a minor injury. His athleticism showed at shortstop on Wednesday at San Francisco when he went up the middle to rob Edgar Renteria of a hit. "He's made some nice plays," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That play right there, if you make it you make it, great. If you don't it's not a big deal, because that's a 1-in-50 type play. But the other ones, the slow rollers coming in, even the good shortstops have trouble making that play. It's the routine plays, the ones he has to make, that's what I'm looking for. Those, to me, are a better gauge than the tougher plays. "You feel comfortable running him out there. Most of the reports say he's a better second baseman. You can tell that he's got middle-infielder type abilities." Pitching matchupFLA: LHP Sean West (3-3, 4.47 ERA)
West's development as a big league starting pitcher continued Monday night against the Giants, and he went through some growing pains. The 23-year-old walked three and yielded five runs in six innings. He is winless in his last two starts (in which he's allowed 10 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings). This will be his first start against the D-backs. ARI: RHP Jon Garland (4-8, 4.80 ERA)
Garland was saddled with another no-decision in his last outing against the Padres. The right-hander allowed three runs in six innings and left with the game tied. He has not won since May 19, a span of nine starts. His numbers do not look great, but they are skewed by a few really poor outings. In four starts he has allowed six or more runs, which pushes his ERA up. Only three times this year has he not gone at least six innings. The May 19 win was against the Marlins in Florida as he held the Fish to one run over six innings. Tidbits
Reliever Burke Badenhop, who was struck just above the left kneecap by a batted ball on Thursday night, is feeling much better. Badenhop could be available on Saturday. In the weight room on Friday, Gerardo Parra, who hit the ball, spoke with Badenhop and expressed his concern. ... Matt Lindstrom (right elbow) and Anibal Sanchez (right shoulder) threw off flat ground on Friday at the team's complex in Jupiter, Fla. Both are expected to do more throwing, perhaps off the mound, next week. ... The fan who caught Jeremy Hermida's home run on Thursday made the 10 top plays on ESPN. That's because Hermida's home run was headed for the pool in right-center. The fan jumped into the air and caught the ball before landing in the water. ... Andy Gonzalez became the 40th player to see action for the Marlins this season. Gonzalez on Thursday had a pinch-hit triple in his first plate appearance as a Marlin. ... Ricky Nolasco, Friday night's starting pitcher, had 31 family members and friends travel from their homes in California. Tickets
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• Sunday: Marlins (Josh Johnson, 7-2, 2.82) at Diamondbacks (Doug Davis, 4-8, 3.13), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Monday-Wednesday: All-Star break
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
