Rick VandenHurk News

Finally got around to ordering my Bill James Handbook . During my initial perusal something jumped out at me -- a positive stat on Emilio Bonifacio! Bonifacio took a lot of criticism last season for his low on-base percentage and inconsistent defense at third base.

In my last article on the Marlins - which you can read here - I stated that I felt the Marlins should promote in-house and bring Reid Cornelius or Scott Mitchell up from one of their minor-league affiliates to fill the pitching coach vacancy created when they moved Mark Wiley to another position within the organization.

It's clear that the Marlins will be trading Dan Uggla very soon as they apparently are having discussions with a few teams about him.

Ryan Howard homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies pounded the Florida Marlins, 11-1, in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

I thought Ronny Paulino was really good for the Marlins this year. Is he a free agent? If so, what will the Marlins do about another catcher? -- Milton P., Miami Paulino will be entering arbitration in 2010, and after he made $440,000 this season, he will be in line to perhaps double his salary next year.

Houston Astros right-hander Brian Moehler has had surgery on his right knee. The team said Monday that Moehler should recover for the start of the 2010 season.

The Marlins won their fourth consecutive game to clinch second place in the NL East as Hanley Ramirez secured the batting title.

The playoffs are just about out of reach for the Marlins. A winning season, though, is safely in their grasp.

Get your Marlins Tickets now! President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest why his Florida Marlins won't be playing beyond this afternoon's regular season finale and he can sum it up in one word: inconsistency.

Reaching 100 RBIs seemed like a remote possibility for Jorge Cantu at the end of August.

On a staff that contains both a reigning Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, it is Joe Blanton who has been one of the Phillies' most consistent pitchers.

A A A A We're at the point where every game is important, the end-all-be-all. Yes, agreed, we're there.

Ricky Nolasco struck out nine straight Atlanta Braves and set a Marlins record with 16 strikeouts - the most by a major league pitcher in more than two years - in Florida's 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

By the end of the day Sunday, the season could be all but over for the Marlins. And they know it.

Jair Jurrjens hurled seven scoreless innings and the hard-charging Braves won their seventh straight game, a 4-0 drubbing of the fleeting Marlins.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones reacted with skepticism when Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez relayed news this evening that Josh Johnson will start Tuesday.

Rick VandenHurk has pitched in big games before, but Wednesday's series finale against the Phillies might be the biggest in his young big league career.

Today at 4:10 p.m. Game 1: RHP Joe Blanton vs. Florida RHP Josh Johnson . Game 2: LHP Jamie Moyer vs.

Cole Hamels takes aim at his third straight win this evening when the Philadelphia Phillies play the rubber match of their three- game set with the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium.

Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll capped a two-run rally against closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning with an RBI single, giving the Florida Marlins a 7-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.