Dan Uggla's offensive fireworks in May have placed him in elite company among Major League second basemen.
Going into Saturday's contest with Kansas City, Uggla -- who in his last 16 games had produced 10 home runs, 19 RBIs and a .400 batting average -- ranked second in the Major Leagues in home runs, tied for first in RBIs, tied for second in runs scored and third in average. Uggla had put together six consecutive multi-hit games before Saturday, when he went 1-for-4. Since May 2, when he moved from the second spot to the sixth and fifth spots in the lineup, Uggla had been hitting .477 with nine homers and 18 RBIs in 14 games.
Suddenly, Uggla finds himself in elite company atop the leader board in nearly all second-base offensive categories with Phillies star Chase Utley.
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Even though Utley plays for a division rival, and both their last names start with the letter U and contain two syllables, Uggla said there is no competition between he and Utley.
"Everybody always brings up Chase Utley and that he's the premier second baseman in the game right now," Uggla said. "He's the best offensive second baseman there is right now, but it's not like I'm trying to keep up with him. I'm happy for him and his success, but I'm just trying to do my own thing and help my club win any way I can."
Shortstop Hanley Ramirez said the offensive outburst is no surprise.
"He's always been one of the best second basemen. He was an All-Star his first year," said Ramirez, who signed a six-year, $70 million deal on Saturday.
Uggla, who is on pace to have a 50-home run, 120-RBI season, said on Saturday that he was happy for Ramirez and he would "love to play with him in the infield for a long time."
First baseman Mike Jacobs said Uggla's recent success is due largely to his patience at the plate -- and pitch selection.
"Uggla's one of those players who's streaky -- when he's hot, he's hot," Jacobs said. "He's got tremendous power and he's in one of those grooves right now."
Defensively, Uggla would certainly like to be more consistent. He has made five errors so far this season, whereas least season, he finished with 11.
Uggla made a nice defensive play in the fourth inning Saturday. With Tony Pena on second base, David DeJesus hit a line drive that Uggla snared with a dive to his left. Uggla threw to Ramirez at second base to double off Pena and execute the 4-6 double play.
"Errors are going to come and go," Uggla said. "I don't feel like we've been making a ton of errors, I just think we're making some bad mental mistakes."
As for the offense, Uggla said he really has no explanation for his success.
"You've just got to ride the wave as long as you can," he said.
<!--CHANGE c_id for team-specific probables page--> Pitching matchup
FLA: RHP Burke Badenhop (1-2, 5.97 ERA)
If for a little bit better luck, Badenhop would have been in line for a win in his last start -- a no-decision in Cincinnati. But a throwing error led to an unearned run, and his own wild pitch allowed another run to score. Still, the right-hander met the requirements for a quality start -- three earned runs (or less) over six (or more) innings. His six innings matched a career high. And in four straight starts, he worked at least five innings. Advancing deeper into games is his next hurdle.
KC: RHP Zack Greinke (4-1, 1.93 ERA)
Greinke pitched well enough to win last Tuesday night against the Tigers but left after six innings with the score tied. He threw 100 pitches and gave up nine hits. With the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, he revved up and struck out Ivan Rodriguez to keep the score tied at 2 and that's been typical of his season. He's been so effective that his six-inning stint marked just the second time that he did not go at least seven innings in eight starts.
Tidbits
Matt Treanor, who has started three straight games behind the plate and gone 3-for-6 with three RBIs, was scratched from the lineup for Mike Rabelo (1-for-3 with a walk on Saturday). Manager Fredi Gonzalez said both will likely split time all year. ... Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez threw bullpen sessions this week and will throw in a simulated game early next week. ... Ramirez fouled a pitch off his left shin late in Saturday's game. He hobbled around for 30 seconds, then stayed in the game. Afterwards, he said it was "not bad" and would be in Sunday's lineup. ... Alfredo Amezega, nicknamed "Spider-Man" by his teammates for his ability to cover ground in the field, made two full-extended running catches in center field in the first two innings Saturday. ... Saturday's promotion were the Marlins "Thundersticks," blowup grey sticks that could be seen reflecting light throughout the stadium. ... Former Marlin Jeff Conine will participate in the 2008 Ford Ironman Triathlon 70.3 Florida at Walt Disney World on Sunday.
On television
• Sun Españolrts
On radio
• WAXY 790, WQBA 1140 (Español)
<!--CHANGE c_id for team-specific probables page; section now should include starters, with W/L and ERA like this:--> Up next
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Marlins (Mark Hendrickson, 5-2, 3.91) vs. Diamondbacks (Micah Owings, 5-1, 3.81), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 2-3, 5.18) vs. Diamondbacks (Brandon Webb, 9-0, 2.56), 7:10 p.m. ET
Faran Fagen is a contributor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
