Game Thread: Washington at Florida- 2008 Game 18 of 162.

Hill On the Mound:

Shawn Hill's started just 25 Major League games in seven seasons since he was drafted by the Montreal Expos out of Mississauga, Ontario with the 165th overall pick in the 6th Round of the 2000 Draft, and he's posted a (6-10) record and a 4.53 ERA in 143.0 IP in the Majors with Montreal and DC. In 7 Minor League seasons, Hill's (35-28) with a 3.08 ERA in 95 starts. 

In sixteen starts in '07, Hill was (4-5) with a 3.42 ERA in 16 starts and 97.1 innings pitched, over which he allowed 86 hits, 37 ER's, 44 walks, and 9 HR's while striking out 65. In 5 career starts against Florida, Hill's (2-1) with a 2.54 ERA. In Dolphin Stadium, Hill's (1-0) in 2 starts, posting 2.25 ERA, and allowing 2 HR's in 12.0 IP. 

MARLINS RELOADED:

Andrew Miller was on the mound for Florida last night, throwing to catcher Mike Rabelo. Meanwhile...outfield prospect Cameron Maybin was 0 for 4 in a Double-A game with the Marlins affiliate in Carolina of the Southern League. Tomorrow night against Washington, Burke Badenhop takes the mound for Florida. What do all these players have in common? 

They  were all included in the trade with Detroit that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit. 

Badenhop was drafted by Detroit in the 19th Round of the 2005 Draft out of Bowling Green University, and he hadn't risen above Double-AA in the Tigers system before the trade to Florida put him on a roster, and in a system, in which he could actually start at the Major League-level. 

The 25-year old right-hander out of Bowling Green, Ohio, posted a (32-13) record and a 2.89 ERA in 3 seasons and 67 starts in the Tigers' system, giving up only 12 HR's in 402.0 innings pitched while striking out 269 batters and completing 7 starts. Badenhop's pitched 1.0 innings against the Nationals, in a relief role back on 4/9, and in his 1 start as a Marlin, Badenhop allowed 7 hits, 2 HR's, and 4 ER in 5.0 IP against the Houston Astros. 

...Not sure you can know what to expect from either of these two starters?

Random ? and # Games...The Nationals look to take two straight for the first time since the first three games of this season. The Nationals have won their last four games against Florida with Shawn Hill on the mound. Nick Johnson's 4 RBI's last night are the most he's had in one game since May 5, 2006. Felipe Lopez was 3 for 5 with a double and 2 runs scored..what will he do with his start at short tonight? Wily Mo Pena's 2 for 18 with 0 extra base hits, and 0 RBI's since returning to the lineup. 

7:10 PM EST start in Dolphin Stadium tomorrow night...