After halting skid, Redmond sticks with same lineup
MIAMI -- After using 43 lineups in the first 44 games, Marlins manager Mike Redmond decided to try some continuity.
After defeating the D-backs and left-hander Wade Miley, 2-1, on Sunday to snap a season-long seven-game losing streak, Redmond batted the same first eight against Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels on Monday.
"We won yesterday, but [today's starter] was another left-hander, so we just think we match up better the way we had it yesterday," Redmond said. "Obviously, if you win a game, you want to run that same lineup out there, see if we can do it again. It would probably be different if there was a right-hander out there pitching."
Monday's starting lineup was predominantly right-handed, featuring only two left-handed batters in second baseman Derek Dietrich at No. 3 and left fielder Chris Coghlan hitting sixth.
Entering the series opener, Dietrich was batting .200 in 10 at-bats against left-handers, while Coghlan boasted a .364 clip in 11 at-bats.
A notable change was the leadoff spot, where rookie shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria took over for veteran outfielder Juan Pierre. Hechavarria went 1-for-4 and scored a run on Sunday.
Pierre is hitting .152 against southpaws this year. Hechavarria has performed slightly better at .172.
Third baseman Placido Polanco, who sported a .340 clip against lefties entering Monday, batted in Hechavarria's customary No. 2 hole.
Nick Green took over for Greg Dobbs at first base and batted seventh, while Jeff Mathis subbed for Rob Brantly behind the plate and hit in the No. 8 spot. Mathis faced Miley twice, doubling in his first at-bat. Green is hitless against left-handers.
Miami is batting .219 against left-handers this season with a .285 on-base percentage. Cleanup hitter Marcell Ozuna, who plated the game-winning runs with a two-run double against Miley, has hit .429 in 21 at-bats against southpaws this season.
Justin Ruggiano, batting fifth, has homered four times against left-handers. Miguel Olivo has three homers against southpaws and provides a right-handed bat off the bench.
Redmond will likely use a different lineup Tuesday. The Phillies plan to start right-hander Tyler Cloyd.