Marlins notes: McGehee taking calm, confident approach at plate
MIAMI -- Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee often mentions hitting the ball hard and not trying to do too much when describing his approach at the plate.
It sounds simple enough, but during a two-year stretch it became elusive for Miami's cleanup hitter.
After a career season in 2010 with the Brewers when he batted .285 with 23 homers and 104 RBI behind slugger Prince Fielder, McGehee struggled with a .220 average, 22 dingers and 108 RBI over the next two.
McGehee regrouped with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan last year, finishing with 28 homers and 93 RBI in 144 games.
''I'm trying to get back to that,'' McGehee said. ''That's what I did well then and for whatever reason I got away from that. It's been proven to me a few times that I'm a better hitter when I'm thinking that way than when I'm not. Sometimes as players -- if something's going well -- you want to make it better and like anything you can overwork it.''
With a 2 for 2 performance with runners in scoring position as well as a pair of RBI on Monday, McGehee improved his clip to .441, which ranks second in baseball among batters with at least 30 at-bats in those scenarios.
McGehee and Giancarlo Stanton have combined for 61 RBI, the most of any two teammates in the majors.
The duo has gotten plenty of opportunities because the players in the leadoff and second spots in the order have found ways to get on base. That, in turn, makes the RBI machines more comfortable in clutch situations.
''You have a little success and you can start to relax, and that's big,'' McGehee said. ''I said last night the best part about it is -- for myself -- you don't feel any pressure. I know if I don't do it, I truly know whoever's behind me will do it. That makes it a lot easier when you don't feel like you have to.''
ALVAREZ'S EFFICIENCY
Right-hander Henderson Alvarez notched his second complete game shutout over his past four starts in Monday's 3-0 victory over the Mets.
In those two outings, he needed just 90 and 111 pitches, respectively, to lock down the nine innings. One of the main reasons for his efficiency is his ability to avoid long at-bats when guys foul off pitches.
''He's worked really hard with (pitching coach) Chuck (Hernandez) trying to get him to understand how to finish hitters,'' manager Mike Redmond said. ''I think you saw that (Monday). He's still a young guy and he's still learning and understanding how to pitch. But when you see nights like this you realize this guy's got a chance to be really, really good. It just comes down to consistency for him.''
Alvarez, who tossed a no-hitter on the final day of the 2013 season, credits his sinker and change-up for the success.
With Monday's result, the 24-year-old has now thrown three shutouts in his last eight starts, becoming the youngest pitcher to do so since Mark Mulder in 2001.
''I've been working with Chuck in the bullpen sessions finishing hitters with the slider and keeping the sinker down,'' Alvarez said through a translator.
ATMOSPHERE
Around the same time the Miami Heat won the first game of their second-round postseason series over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, the Marlins disposed of the Mets.
Though most of the city's attention will continue through the NBA Playoffs, the ballclub in Little Havana has begun piquing fans' interest after a quick start.
Miami (18-15) entered Wednesday a half game out of first in the National League East, a winner in seven of its last eight games. The Marlins are 16-5 at home, equaling their best start in franchise history previously done in 1997 (first World Series year).
Left fielder Christian Yelich, who visited Renaissance Charter School in Cooper City as part of Marlins Think Tank Week on Monday, has been recognized in public.
''It was cool that you get the vibe from everyone else, fans at the ballpark and around the city just walking around and stuff,'' Yelich said. ''People coming up and like our team and enjoy us playing hard every night. That's kind of cool. Hopefully we continue doing that.''
McGehee was talking with his wife following Monday's game about the difference he has noticed from Opening Night to now.
Not only does it seem like attendance is going up, but people also are going to watch the game rather than just say they were there. Ace Jose Fernandez's Sunday start brought more than 30,000 to the park.
''When I was in Pittsburgh I got to witness the beginning part of that starting to change,'' McGehee said of his 2012 stint with the Pirates. ''It was pretty cool and hopefully we can keep doing enough to make people want to keep coming back, get behind this team because I know Miami is a baseball city. They love their baseball, especially with a big Latin community. We've got a fan base, we just need to give them a reason.''
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
