NewsMarlins willing to sacrifice to win games
Florida (58-53) vs. Houston (55-56), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
08/09/09 8:02 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Center field one day, and right field the next. Depending on the situation, he may return to center field on the third day. Outfielder Cody Ross understands the situation, as do the rest of the Marlins. After completing a three-game sweep of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the Marlins have a quick turnaround, with a four-game set with the Astros beginning on Monday at Land Shark Stadium. Now four games off the pace in the National League East, Florida understands that each player may be asked to fill a different role every night. "Given the situation that we're in right now, being in the playoff race and in the hunt, guys are going to be asked to do certain things that they are maybe not as comfortable doing," Ross said. "But everybody in here has that one goal, which is to get to the next level and get to the playoffs. If you have to make sacrifices to make it to the next level, then everyone is on board." In the final two months of the season, the intensity rises as the games become more important. The Marlins just completed a six-game road trip, finishing 3-3. Ross, Florida's best defensive player all season, understands the sacrifices the team has to make to remain in the race. So he accepts the fact that he's now playing right field more, despite being in center field for 75 games. Emilio Bonifacio is getting more work in center field. But Ross isn't the only one being asked to move around. After first baseman Nick Johnson was acquired from Washington on July 31, Jorge Cantu switched to third base. Chris Coghlan, an infielder throughout his college and Minor League careers, is playing left field. Bonifacio, a natural second baseman, has played mostly third this year. But now, he's playing more often in center. "I know a lot of guys throughout their careers play the same position," Ross said. "If you tell them that they are going to play 'X' position, they'll be like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm not comfortable playing that position.' I've never had that mentality. I've always been open to playing more positions." One reason Ross has been willing to adjust is because he was never a top prospect. "When you're a top prospect, you can play that one position and do your thing," Ross said. "But as a guy who has to prove himself over and over, you have to be willing to do anything, even pitch, which I did [as a Minor Leaguer] with the Tigers." Ross even has made one relief appearance this year for Florida, saving the bullpen in a blowout game. As the number of games decrease, so does the margin for error. So players know they might be replaced if they aren't producing. "If somebody isn't swinging the bat, chances are at this particular time, you're not going to get a lot of playing time," Ross said. "That's a little different change than [early in the year], where if you struggle and struggle, they'll hang with you and hang with you. You can't really do that right now. We're trying to win ballgames. The lineup can be different seven straight nights. But that's the business and the nature of the beast. But everybody in here understands that." Pitching matchupFLA: RHP Rick VandenHurk (1-1, 4.29 ERA)
In his fourth start, VandenHurk had his worst start. He only lasted four innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter, but he admitted that his performance did not merit a much longer outing. VandenHurk gave up five runs on seven hits. He was plagued by the long ball, surrendering three. Washington's Ryan Zimmerman sliced a low-and-away fastball just over the right-field wall and a pitch later, Adam Dunn crushed a pitch into the upper deck. Ronnie Belliard knocked the third home run for the Nationals. HOU: RHP Brian Moehler (7-7, 5.23 ERA)
Moehler, who pitched for the Marlins in 2005 and '06 before joining the Astros, is coming off one of his worst outings of the year. He gave up nine hits and seven runs (six earned), including a grand slam, in six innings against the Giants on Wednesday in Houston. He's pitched in only two games in his career against Florida, but has extensive experience at the Marlins' stadium, where he's 5-11 with a 4.91 ERA in 35 games. Tidbits
Reliever Kiko Calero, who pitched two-thirds of the eighth inning Sunday, exited after walking Chase Utley. He is hampered with right knee pain and is listed as day-to-day. ... The Marlins on Monday begin a stretch of facing the Astros in seven of their next 10 games. From Aug. 18-20, they are at Houston. Manager Fredi Gonzalez says he would prefer playing each team on the schedule at least once in the first half, instead of twice in a short period of time in the second half. ... Florida swept all three games with Houston at home last year. ... The Marlins player with the most at-bats against Moehler is Johnson, who was given the day off Sunday in Philadelphia. Johnson did pinch-hit in the eighth. Johnson is 4-for-18 with two doubles and a homer off Moehler. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Marlins (Chris Volstad, 8-9, 4.48) vs. Astros (Roy Oswalt, 6-4, 3.61), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 8-7, 4.86) vs. Astros (Bud Norris, 2-0, 1.69), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Sean West, 3-4, 4.88) vs. Astros (Mike Hampton, 7-9, 5.30), 7:10 p.m. ET
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
