Marlins Drop 11th Straight, 2-1
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Marlins had Trader Jack McKeon at the helm Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels, but even the best managing job couldn't help pull out a victory as the Marlins dropped their 11th straight game, 2-1.
Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver threw seven innings and helped send the Marlins to 1-19 in the month of June. The current losing streak for the Marlins is the longest losing streak since 1998 when the Fish dropped 108 games.
"Everybody is trying to do too much," McKeon said. "Once we get one or two wins, they'll relax a little bit."
Weaver (9-4) tied for the big league lead in wins. He allowed only five hits and one run to lower his ERA to 2.01, second-best in the majors.
Florida's Anibal Sanchez also went seven innings and gave up one run, which was unearned because of a passed ball by catcher John Buck. Sanchez has been the lone bright spot for the Marlins as he has stepped in and filled the void left by Josh Johnson.
"I'm doing the best I can," Sanchez said. "We continue to lose games. One day we're going to stop that. We're going to figure out how to win."
Los Angeles broke a 1-all tie in the seventh. Maicer Izturis singled off Steve Cishek (0-1) for his third hit, took third on a single by Erick Aybar and came home on a groundout by Torii Hunter.
"He got a good jump," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I don't think there was any play at the plate."
McKeon took over the 2003 Marlins in May and led them to the World Series title, and Florida is hoping for a similar turnaround this season.
"I have the utmost respect for Jack McKeon," Scioscia said. "I'm sure he's going to work hard to get them going in the right direction."
The Marlins, averaging less than three runs a game this month, totaled only five hits, all singles. Their final 11 batters went down in order.
"I want these guys to have fun," McKeon said. "As soon as they start having fun, you'll see the worm change."
Perhaps the best news for the Marlins last night was shortstop Hanley Ramirez being benched. Ramirez has become, as CBS4's Jorge Sedano said on his radio show, a locker room cancer. He doesn't hustle and the Marlins run the risk of him bringing down the entire roster of young players to his level.
The Marlins were also without slugger Mike Stanton who missed his third game in a row due to a right eye infection. Stanton saw a specialist and said he hopes to play Wednesday.
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