Marlins notes: Streaking Ozuna tops among NL outfielders since May 21
Chicago -- Since May 21, Marcell Ozuna is batting .328 with five homers and 16 RBI. During that span, he ranks first among NL outfielders in RBI and tied for first in home runs.
Like teammate Christian Yelich, this year marks Ozuna's first full major-league season. The pair earned call-ups in 2013.
"He's a rookie," Redmond said. "This guy's a young hitter learning at the big-league level. There are going to be some ups and downs. We've talked about that with Yelich, too."
Prior to this recent stretch, Ozuna reached a season-low .248 average by going hitless in 11 of the first 18 games of May with no multi-hit contests, 22 strikeouts and just seven RBI.
The key for Ozuna is being consistent within the strike zone and getting good pitches. Though his aggressiveness at the plate can get him in trouble, he also benefits from it. Surprisingly enough, eight of his 11 dingers have come with two strikes.
"His best tool for me is he has the ability to forget," Redmond said. "If he has a bad at-bat he turns the page and comes back in whatever situation it is next time and gets a big hit. He's gotten some big hits and had some great at-bats."
WORTH NOTING
With a pair of offdays this coming week, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start Wednesday's game in Texas against the Rangers.
-- Miami wore throwback jerseys of the Sun Sox for the series finale against the Chicago Cubs as part of Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary season.
The Miami Sun Sox played in 1946 and 1949-1954 at Miami Stadium (later renamed Bobby Maduro Stadium). A minor-league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, they were league champions in 1950 and 1952.
-- Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (concussion) is likely to be transferred to the 15-day disabled list sometime Sunday. He has been symptom-free for a few days, but won't play in either of the two games in Texas.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
