Penultimate 2011 Week in Review

We're usually tired of baseball by mid-September too, Gaby.

Overview: The Marlins dropped two of three two Atlanta, were swept in a doubleheader by the Phillies, then took two of three in Washington.
Positives: The Marlins didn't lose to Stephen Strasburg (despite only scoring once in six innings against him). Javier Vazquez threw his first shutout in ages Friday. On the same night, he moved to the 29th spot in the all-time strikeouts list and Jack McKeon won his 277th game, the most by any Marlins manager. That's about as much enthusiasm as I can muster right now.
Negatives: McKeon is getting a little testy. First he blasts Ricky Nolasco for his role in Thursday's loss to Atlanta ("That's why you’re not a 20-game winner," he said), then he complains about his hitters' aversion to taking walks. "Our guys are allergic to taking walks," he told the Miami Herald Sunday, adding, "They play by the players' association rules: Thou must swing at 3-1 and 2-0."The former complaint was a little harsh, the latter, pitch perfect. Hanley Ramirez underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday, though the Marlins said they still expect him to be back in time for Opening Day 2012. Mike Cameron was released for being a jerk.
Line of the Week: Vazquez' Friday night performance:

9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 104 pitches, 0.421 WPA

Play of the Week: Edward Mujica pulls off an instant classic bullpen prank on Thursday, locking Jose Ceda in the bathroom in Philadelphia's visiting bullpen:

Looking Ahead: The Fish play three against Atlanta starting Monday, then fly to Milwaukee for a weekend set beginning Friday.