The Miami Herald’s Linda Robertson reports the Marlins’ first-year skipper Joe Girardi “came close to being fired or resigning Sunday night” after the Fish dropped their 3rd straight to the Dodgers.
At one point, the team began setting up for a news conference in the same room where Jack McKeon’s hiring and resignation were announced. The stage presumably wasn’t going to be used to reveal a new stadium plan, so why else would the Marlins hastily arrange chairs?
The spat started in the Dodgers’ six-run seventh inning. Reliever Taylor Tankersley’s 3-2 pitch to Dodger Julio Lugo was called a ball by the umpire when it appeared to be a third strike. Loria, in the stands next to the dugout, protested the call. Girardi, however, chose not to make an issue of it and stayed in the dugout. He had been ejected the day before. Owner and manager exchanged words. Did Loria tell Girardi to challenge the call? Did Girardi tell Loria to butt out? Did Loria second-guess his manager? Did Girardi insult his boss? Was there insubordination or just frustration?
The quarrel continued with closed-door meetings after the game. Then the news conference that never was.
The Marlins provided no enlightenment about the confrontation Monday, calling it an “internal matter.”
Even Larry Miller thinks Jeffrey Loria needs to keep a lower profile.
Twins phenom Francisco Liriano is likely head for the DL, after suffering left elbow pain during last night’s 9-3 loss at Detroit. Previously, Liriano had missed his turn in the rotation due to a forearm inflammation.
Toledo’s Alexis Gomez became just the 6th International League player to hit 4 home runs in a game, as the Mud Hens connected for 7 HR’s off Columbus pitching in a 15-8 victory Monday evening. The last IL player to hit 4 roundtrippers in a game before Gomez was the immortal Bubba Trammel.