MARLINS 6/20/02
June 20, 2002
Latest Team Info:
Castillo raced his way into history by beating out an infield single in the sixth inning Wednesday, extending the longest hitting streak in the Major Leagues to 33 games. Castillo was 2-for-4, scored a run and had the game-winning RBI as the Marlins beat the Indians 2-1 Wednesday at Pro Player Stadium. Castillo kept the streak alive with a close-call single on his third at-bat off Cleveland right-hander Danys Baez. Castillo was getting worried he told reporters at ESPN. Pressure mounting in the sixth, Castillo tapped an 0-1 dribbler to the third-base side of the mound. Baez charged, and his hurried throw was high and over the head of first baseman Jim Thome. The speedy Castillo crossed the bag as the toss sailed into the right field corner. Official scorer Ron Jernick quickly ruled it a single and an error on the throw that enabled Castillo to advance to second. (It all comes down to the scorers on plays like theses and you can only hope he gives you the hit.) In the seventh, Castillo left little doubt on a crisply stroked RBI single that scored the decisive run. As Castillo continues climbing the hit-streak ladder, he finds himself in more elite company. Just 15 streaks are longer. At 33, Castillo joins Hornsby, George Davis, Hal Chase, and Heinie Manush. The only active player to stretch a streak further is Benito Santiago, who hit in 34 in a row for the Padres in 1987. Also that year, future Hall of Famer Paul Molitor hit in 39 consecutive games. "He ain't soft," Marlins right fielder Cliff Floyd said. "But he hates a lot of pressure. I hope he doesn't put pressure on himself and has fun with it.”
Local Perspective:
Third baseman Mike Lowell received a scare Tuesday night, absorbing a high-and-tight fastball by Indians reliever David Riske on the fleshy part of his right wrist. The pitch caused some swelling, but Lowell was back in the lineup Wednesday. "I'm fine," he said prior to Wednesday's game. "We got lucky," manager Jeff Torborg said. Lowell was 2-for-2 at the time he was hit and popped out to the catcher in his final at-bat. The third baseman is leading the team in hits with two outs with a .333 average with 11 doubles, 17 RBIs and 23 hits. Fans are glad that Lowell is ok and back in the line-up. He is a key part of this Marlins team. With the All-Star Game less than a month away fan are voting for their Marlins and hope to send as many as possible to Milwaukee.
Injuries:
Josh Beckett the Marlins star rookie pitcher remains on the 15 Day DL.. Also on the DL is Brad Penny. Alex Gonzalez is on the DL as well. These are key players for the Marlins and they hop to have him back ASAP.
Quick View:
Add:
Luis Castillo: He is batting .338 on the season and he is in the middle of that great hit streak.
Drop:
Preston Wilson: Underachieving this year only batting .241
Hold:
A J Burnett: Should bounce back in 2nd half of the season.
Trade:
Ryan Dempster
