NewsCoghlan raking it from top for Marlins
Florida (72-65) at New York (62-75), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com
09/06/09 6:55 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- Chris Coghlan has posted some very impressive numbers for a rookie this season, but some of his best have come during his latest hitting streak. The leadoff hitter got a third-inning single in the Marlins' 5-4 loss to the Nationals in Sunday's series finale, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. He's been hot throughout the run, hitting at a .443 (27-for-61) clip after going 2-for-5 on Sunday. "I just feel right now that everything feels slow to me at the plate," Coghlan said. "I'm just trying to stick to my approach and ride this out." The 14-game streak is the longest for a rookie in the Majors this season. It also ties the third-best mark for a Marlins rookie, matching Edgar Renteria's streak in 1996. Coghlan also had a 13-game hitting streak from Aug. 1-13, a career high at that point. That began a month in which he played so well that he was named the National League's Rookie of the Month. He led the big leagues with 47 hits in just 28 games in August. The outfielder tops all the qualifying rookies in several offensive categories this season, including average, hits and multihit games. Coghlan said after Saturday's game that he couldn't really remember having a streak like the one he's on now. He also said he doesn't worry about that kind of stuff too much, because winning is first on his mind. And with the way the Marlins' offense has been performing lately, the wins have been coming quickly. "Everybody throughout our lineup can hit, and it's fun to be able to put runs up and a lot of hits," Coghlan said. Pitching matchupFLA: RHP Rick VandenHurk (2-2, 4.91 ERA)
While VandenHurk held the Braves to three runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings his last time out, he was hit hard. Atlanta smashed several balls to the warning track, but VandenHurk was able to keep the ball in the park, limit the big inning and pitch out of several jams. NYM: RHP Tim Redding (2-4, 5.70 ERA)
Redding turned in his second successive quality start Wednesday in Colorado, pitching 6 2/3 innings and holding the Rockies to two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six. He might well have matched his season high of seven innings had his pitch count not risen with a lot of long at bats, taking hitters to three balls and full counts throughout the outing. He alternated between pitching through traffic in the odd innings and throwing 1-2-3 innings in the evens. He used a couple different deliveries to effectively keep the Rockies off balance, and he largely spared the bullpen. Tidbits
Hanley Ramirez's solo homer against the Nationals in the fourth inning Sunday was the 100th of his career. Accordng to Elias Sports Bureau, he is the fourth-fastest player whose primary position is shortstop to reach that milestone (based on games), behind Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Ernie Banks. ... The Marlins recalled pitcher Andrew Miller before Sunday's game. ... Jorge Cantu leads the NL with 28 first-inning RBIs. He's ahead of both Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard (25 apiece). Tickets
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• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 10-8, 5.27) at Mets (Pat Misch, 1-1, 3.25), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Sean West, 6-5, 4.61) at Mets (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (TBD) vs. Nationals (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET
Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
