If Friday night was his last start as a Miami Marlin, it will be one to forget for Ricky Nolasco.
Trade talks have reportedly picked up as of late, and though it is all speculation, Friday night's start against the San Diego Padres may have been Nolasco's last as a Marlin.
According to several reports, the Marlins have received many calls and proposals that are related to a transaction that would involve Nolasco. The Sun-Sentinel earlier said that the Marlins are waiting for "somebody to step up" before they finalize a deal.
Nolasco struggled against the Padres and Miami's offense was contained by Edison Volquez, who held the Marlins to just two runs in a 9-2 San Diego victory.
Nolasco struggles through five innings
His earned run average remained under four (3.93) after a shaky start, however Nolasco didn't look like a pitcher that several teams are trying aggressively to acquire.
Nolasco was able to keep the Marlins in the game until the Padres took control in the top of the sixth inning.
Over his five innings, he gave up 11 hits and six runs (five earned) while striking out six and not issuing a walk. He had a particularly difficult time retiring Logan Forsythe, who was 3 for 3 including a two-run home run in the third inning.
Nolasco's ability to limit the number of walks he has issued has made him attractive to competitive teams, and a trade may be imminent.
Middle of The Order Lifts Miami's Offense
San Diego has won all four games they have played against the Marlins this season, and a lot of that has been the result of good outings from the Padres' starting pitchers.
Edison Volquez successfully held the Marlins off balance through his six innings, and only gave up two runs while striking out eight.
Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison drove in Miami's only two runs in the first and third innings.
A Morrison triple allowed Stanton to score in the first, and a Stanton double drove third baseman Placido Polanco home in third.
Derek Dietrich and Stanton both had multi-hit games, though the Marlins were unable to put a rally together against the Padres' bullpen.
Brantly makes key defensive mistake
Although he has improved of late, catcher Rob Brantly made a key defensive mistake that cost Miami and Ryan Webb a run on Friday.
Following an Alexi Amarista triple to lead off the seventh, Brantly was unable to handle a pitch which resulted in Amarista being able to score.
Brantly neglected to toss the ball to Webb, who was covering the plate, so there was no play because of Brantly's hesitation.
The Marlins acquired Brantly because of his bat, but his defense appears to be a work in progress.
Bullpen gives up a few
Miami's bullpen has improved of late, though Ryan Webb (unearned run) and Dan Jennings gave up three runs combined in relief of Ricky Nolasco.
Source: FanGraphs