Halladay Perfect, Marlins Far From It

Last night, the heavyweight fight between Josh Johnson and Roy Halladay lived up to its billing. The Phillies won 1-0 behind Roy Halladay's perfect game, the first in the National League since 2004 and the 20th in Major League history. Johnson wasn't perfect, but he was close to it as he allowed the game's only walk (Ryan Howard). Yes, last night was a game that would set Joe West's heart aflutter: 2 1/2 hours, 1 walk. And, for those scoring at home, Sun Life Stadium has now hosted 2 World Series, including a game 7, 2 no-hitters and now, a perfect game. Pretty amazing stuff for a "football" stadium.

On the Marlins end, Halladay was on, and when he's on he's the most dominant right hander in baseball, but it's disheartening to see a pitcher yet again set a season/career high in strikeouts against the Marlins. For Halladay, last night's 11 strikeouts represented both a season and career high. Sometime soon, and it's been years over due, the Marlins need to fire long time hitting coach, Jim Presley, the only coaching holdover of consequence from the Joe Girardi regime.

The signature of Presley's Marlins teams has been power with tons of strikeouts. Too often this year, the Marlins have come to the plate looking for the three run homer and instead left with nothing to show but inopportune strikeouts. Eventually, a move has to be made, hopefully someone whose opinion matters will realize that the strikeouts have to end and a move needs to be made.