NewsSanchez fires strikes, shuts down Phils
Marlins righty cruises through seven; Hanley, Cantu hurt
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
10/03/09 8:23 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA -- What a difference throwing strikes makes.Recovering from a wild outing in his previous start, Anibal Sanchez was on the mark Saturday afternoon, limiting the Phillies to one run in seven innings in the Marlins' 4-3 victory in front of 45,141 at Citizens Bank Park.
Monday at Atlanta, Sanchez walked a career-high eight, and of his 91 pitches, just 42 were strikes. It was a different story in his final start of the season. The 25-year-old right-hander walked two (one intentionally) and struck out three. Of his 106 pitches, 69 were strikes.
"I just tried to throw more strikes than anything," Sanchez said. "I was trying to be consistent in the strike zone. I was trying for a quick first inning. I think that was my first [perfect first inning] all year. I was trying to finish strong. I'm healthy. I was on the DL a couple of times, but I feel good right now."
Sanchez's strong finish helped the Marlins secure second place in the National League East. While the Phillies won the division and are headed for the playoffs, the Marlins gained a one-game lead over the Braves with one game left.
All first- and second-place teams in each division receive bonus money. Even if the Marlins and Braves finish tied for second place, the Marlins would get the bonus -- roughly $9,500 per full share -- based on a 10-8 head-to-head series record.
About the only downside of the game for the Marlins was Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu each exited with injuries. Ramirez suffered a right knee contusion and was replaced in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cantu sprained his right ankle, awkwardly hitting the second-base bag in the sixth.
Ramirez is questionable for Sunday, while Cantu won't play.
"It's something to be very proud of to come back next year and to do even better," Cantu said of finishing second.
The victory also helped manager Fredi Gonzalez achieve a milestone. In three seasons, he has 242 victories, the most in team history. Jack McKeon won 241 from 2003-05.
Gonzalez's mark is 242-242, compared to McKeon's 241-207.
"It's good," said Gonzalez, who repeatedly downplays recognition to himself. "Most of these guys have been here. [It helps] when you've got good players and a good supporting staff."
In the first inning, the Marlins wasted little time making a statement during their nationally televised game on FOX.
Chris Coghlan, a favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award, doubled to open the game off Cole Hamels. Coghlan scored on Ramirez's RBI double, a hit that pretty much secured the batting title for the All-Star shortstop. Ramirez was in an 0-for-11 slump before ripping the ball to left. Ramirez stole third and scored Cantu's sacrifice fly to right.
The RBI was the 100th for Cantu this season, and increased his Major League-leading first-inning RBI total to 36.
"I had to get it," said Cantu, who collected 29 RBIs since Aug. 31 to reach the milestone. "All my praise goes to Hanley. That was a big stolen bag. He told me he was going to get into scoring position for me. He did it. I've got to tip my hat to him. He got hurt on the play too. That tells you what kind of teammate he is, too. He sacrificed his body for me to score."
Cantu joins Ramirez (105) as the third pair of Marlins to each record at least 100 RBIs in a season. Cliff Floyd (103) and Mike Lowell (100) did it in 2001, while Miguel Cabrera (116) and Carlos Delgado (115) reached the benchmark in '05.
"I was so happy for him," Dan Uggla said of Cantu. "He definitely deserves it. He's probably been the biggest clutch hitter that we've had all season. He just kept continuing to do it, getting big hits from the seventh inning on. He really put himself in this position the last week of the season, to get to 100 RBIs."
Cantu has six RBIs in the first five games of the season-ending road trip.
"He continued to get big hits for us, and to do it with a game-and-a-half left says how good he is," Uggla said. "That's not easy to do when the pressure is on."
The Major League leader in hits since the All-Star break, Coghlan doubled yet again in the second inning. With 110 hits since the All-Star break, Coghlan matched Joe DiMaggio and Dick Allen for the fifth-highest total of hits over that span.
Ryan Howard's home run, his 45th of the season and seventh off Florida this year, in the second inning made it 3-1.
Uggla's RBI double in the eighth padded Florida's lead to three runs.
But a throwing error by Uggla in the eighth inning allowed Howard to reach, and the Phillies capitalized on Jayson Werth's two-run homer off Brian Sanches, who relieved Dan Meyer.
In the ninth, Uggla stepped up with a diving stop to throw out Miguel Cairo, which helped Leo Nunez record his 26th save.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
