Ozuna already making history with Marlins

MIAMI -- In the big leagues for only a month, Marcell Ozuna is already making a historical presence for the Marlins.

The 22-year-old right fielder is riding a 14-game hitting streak after his infield single in the fourth inning on Wednesday -- one of only three hits the Marlins had in a 3-1 loss to the Rays.

Ozuna's streak is the longest active stretch in the Majors and the most by a Marlins player this year. It's also tied for the third longest streak by a Marlins' rookie.

Edgar Renteria holds the club's rookie mark at 22, set in 1996. Chuck Carr is second at 15 games (1993), and Chris Coghlan (2009) and Renteria (1996) also had strings of 14 games.

"He's brought that energy every day," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's having fun. He appreciates the opportunity he has to be here in the big leagues, and he wants to stay. To see that energy and to see a guy just throwing it all out there every single night is fun."

Ozuna's hitting is obviously getting attention. But so is his hustle, which was evident in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at Tampa Bay.

On Desmond Jennings' walk-off single in the ninth inning, Ozuna played hard until the end. He had no chance of throwing out Kelly Johnson, who scored from second. But Ozuna still charged to the ball and attempted a desperation throw home.

"You don't know if maybe he falls down," Ozuna said.

On the bases in the eighth inning, Ozuna showed aggressiveness, which set up the go-ahead run.

"I'm trying to get make the pitcher [concentrate on me] and throw a lot of balls, and try to get more people on base," he said.

Redmond has Ozuna batting cleanup, and he projects to be a major piece in Miami's building process.

"I want guys to throw it all out there," Redmond said. "That's what we talked about when we talked this winter about bringing guys in to change the culture. Those are the kind of players I want. I want guys that play hard the entire game."