Every once in a while, Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom can reach back and throw his fastball with triple-digit speed. He did it on Saturday night against the Royals when he threw a shutout eighth inning that eventually led to Florida snapping its season-high four-game losing streak.
Lindstrom, a second-year player who was one of the best rookie relievers in the game last season, is usually around 97 or 98 mph but can crank it up even higher on occasion.
"He pitches in the high 90s most of the time," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "But he can eliminate a lot of guys in [opposing lineups] when he's throwing 100 mph."
Lindstrom is part of a Marlins bullpen that had pitched six straight scoreless innings before giving up three runs in the last three innings on Sunday. Before its setback in the series finale against the Royals, Florida's bullpen was 9-6 with a 3.34 ERA -- which was eighth in the Major Leagues.
"We hit a little bump in the road for a sec, but everyone's going strong right now," said Justin Miller, who is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 20 appearances out of the bullpen this season. "Coming off Spring Training you kind of get a little tired in the first months, but I think everybody is getting healthy, feeling strong, and I think we're looking forward to the next few months."
Lindstrom is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 18 appearances this season, and he has a streak of 4 2/3 consecutive innings without an earned run dating back to May 10.
But as far as velocity, Lindstrom -- who finished 2007 at 3-4 with a 3.09 ERA -- said he was up in the triple digits a lot more often last season because he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League right before joining the Marlins in the spring. But Lindstrom said eventually he started to wear down after the lack of downtime in 2007. This year, he's just starting to come into his own in the middle of May.
"Last year, my arm was already in shape," Lindstrom said. "I didn't have to go to Spring Training. This year is a little bit different, but we're trying to stretch [my arm] out and long toss a little bit. This is the point where pitchers start getting in shape."
Any pitcher who can hit triple digits on the radar gun might eventually pan out to be a closer. Lindstrom hopes that's exactly what his future holds.
"Just a little more experience would help -- learning how to pitch to guys," Lindstrom said. "Ultimately that would be the goal to just develop into somebody that can come in and close games down the road. I would love to get an opportunity one day to do that."
<!--CHANGE c_id for team-specific probables page--> Pitching matchup
FLA: LHP Mark Hendrickson (5-2, 3.91 ERA)
For the second straight start, Hendrickson found himself throwing a lot of pitches when he lost to the Reds on May 13. During his previous start, Hendrickson ended up throwing 109 pitches through 4 1/3 innings. The only difference was he won that game -- allowing just one run to the Brewers on May 8. Against the Reds, Hendrickson -- who went 2-for-2 with a run scored at the plate -- gave up four runs in five innings and threw 93 pitches. During his outing, Hendrickson got into three-ball counts six different times and tossed 33 pitches in the second inning alone.
ARI: RHP Micah Owings (5-1, 3.81 ERA)
Owings will be starting on an extra day's rest and is coming off six scoreless innings against the Rockies that earned him his first victory in four starts. He has gone six innings in six of eight games this year and has never lasted fewer than five frames this season. Last year's National League Silver Slugger at his position, Owings is batting .357 with five runs and three RBIs in 28 at-bats.
Tidbits
Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is 1-for-7 with a walk and five strikeouts since signing his six-year, $70 million deal. ... Despite missing eight straight games with a quadriceps injury, first baseman Mike Jacobs -- who homered on back-to-back days -- has reached double-digit home runs. This is the earliest date in the season that he has reached that mark in his career. His previous best was last year, when he reached 10 homers by June 17. Jacobs has 11 on the year and trails only Dan Uggla (13) for the team lead. ... After a double on Sunday, Luis Gonzalez now has 577 for his career and trails Wade Boggs by one for 18th on the all-time list. ... Uggla was a few feet from setting the club record for home runs in May with 10 on Sunday. Uggla hit a line drive off the very top of the left-field scoreboard in the sixth inning. ... The Marlins have held at least partial ownership of first place for 34 days. The last time the Marlins held a share of first place this late in the season was in 2004, when Florida was in first through June 30.
On television
• FSN-HD
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
• Wednesday: Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 2-3, 5.18) vs. Diamondbacks (Brandon Webb, 9-0, 2.56), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Andrew Miller, 3-3, 6.18) vs. Diamondbacks (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (Scott Olsen, 4-1, 2.82) vs. Giants (Barry Zito, 0-8, 6.25), 7:10 p.m. ET
