SAN DIEGO -- They didn't call him, "Donny Longball," but Miami's manager still knows about going deep. And what Don Mattingly has seen in the season's first month has him thinking.
"The ball seems to be traveling again this year,'' said Mattingly, who hit 222 homers in his 14-year career. "Balls were going out opposite field in Seattle like nothing. I have been there before and it doesn't travel like that.''
The Marlins dented two outfield seats in Friday night's 5-3 loss to the Padres. Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton's homers penetrated Petco Park's pesky marine layer with ease.
After hitting two home runs in Saturday's 6-3 win in 11 innings, Stanton has seven home runs, Ozuna has six on the year, and Christian Yelich shows four.
The Marlins' outfielders are smooth with their gloves, but it's the brawn that gets noticed.
"They are pretty good. obviously,'' Mattingly said. "[Ozuna] is swinging the bat really well. Yelly has not really gotten going totally yet and I think Big G is the same way. But obviously [they] are doing some damage. Over the course of the season, these guys have a chance to put up big numbers.''
Even with half their games played at roomy Marlins Park.
"We play in a decent-sized ballpark,'' Mattingly said. "But I think these guys are going to hit them. I don't think with Giancarlo it really matters. You could play in the Grand Canyon. Ozuna is kind of the same way, honestly. When he hits them they are gone.''