Game: Florida Marlins @ Houston Astros
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Start Time: 2:05 Eastern Time
Attendance: 29,766
Length of Game: 2:45
Starting Pitchers: Burke Badenhop ( Marlins) vs Wandy Rodriguez ( Astros)
Technically, in the standings the result of this one will hurt the Marlins, as it will go in the loss column, but they gained something as they found they have yet another promising young pitcher in Burke Badenhop, who was acquired by the Marlins via the Cabrera-Willis trade with the Tigers.
Burke Badenhop showed throughout this game that he was worthy of being called up and put into the starting rotation. Young Badenhop showed the Marlins a lot in his first major-league start, of which should keep him in the rotation for at least another start. The 25- year old give up four runs-- that included home runs by Astros catcher J.R. Towels and Michael Bourn-- pitching five plus innings, he came up on the wrong side of a 5-1 game to the Astros in front of 29,766 at Minute Maid Park.
Though the result of the game wasn't the ideal one for Badenhop and the Marlins, he was able to throw strikes throughout the day and compete with each and every hitter he faced.
Wandy Rodriguez only allowed a Josh Willingham homer, almost similar in distance the one Jorge Cantu hit in the Marlins game 1 win over the Astros on Friday night. With the loss, the Marlins end the road trip going 4-2 heading into their off-day monday before starting a three game series with their division rival Atlanta Brave on Tuesday night at Dolphin Stadium.
Badenhop, who is one of the six players the Marlins acquired from the Tigers in their december trade for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, Badenhop left the game after 84 pitches. He was relieved with no outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning, down 3-1.
Taylor Tankersley got both batters he faced to pop out, but the Astros were able to add their fourth run on a Lee Gardner walk to Towels.
The last time Badenhop pitched was at Double-A Carolina on April 3, when he gave up one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings for the Mudcats.
Badenhop had the support at the ballpark. Badenhop's father along with other family memebers were at Minute Maid park to watch him perform in his first start as a Florida Marlins pitcher.
The Marlins hit 13 homers on this road trip that included a 3-game set against the Nationals, the Marlins now have a total of 21 homers on this young season.
Hitting a couple more this afternoon would have been nice, too.
Hanley Ramirez extended his hitting streak to 11 early in the game with a single in the first inning. Hanley is now two hits shy of his career best in regards to consecutive hits-streak.
Badenhop got through the first inning without a proble, but with two outs in the second inning, he left a changeup right in Towels hot spot and he hit out for a two-run left-field shot.
Badenhop gave up another homer to Michael Bourn, as he hit a 3-1 mistake pitch to right field for his first long ball of the season.
The Marlins are off on Monday before starting a 3-game with the Atlanta Braves.
