Andino Leads Extra Special Win

The Marlins jumped out early in game two of the season getting to future Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez for 4 runs in the first 2 innings. The young right handed Netherlands native, Rick VandenHurk struggled with control and therefore pitch count from the start and couldn’t make it out of the 4th inning. Courtesy of VandenHurk and reliever Renyel Pinto, the Mets quickly tied the game up 4-4.

The score would remain the same as both teams sent pitcher after pitcher to the mound. Eventually, the Marlins array of defensive changes, and double switches saw Robert Andino move to 3rd base. This same spot was occupied by Jorge Cantu and Alfredo Amezaga in the game previously. Andino, who didn’t make the team initially but was a last minute Opening Day roster addition was on deck to pinch hit several innings earlier but was pulled back in favor of Jason Wood. He’s a middle infielder in the minor leagues and has been a steady injury replacement and September call-up for the Marlins the last few years. In that time, he had never hit a major league home run.

Well, that changed on Tuesday and in a big way. Facing Matt Wise with nobody on and 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th, Andino cracked a shot out of the park in left field and sent the Marlins racing to home plate to greet him. It was a perfect way for Andino to get his 1st career shot and a perfect way for the fish to get their 1st win of the 2008 season. The Mets and Marlins finish the series tomorrow with Oliver Perez facing off against Andrew Miller.