First baseman Gaby Sanchez was promoted from Class AA Carolina on Tuesday, giving the Marlins another franchise first -- the first Miami-born Marlins fan to grow up and play for the team.
"That was one of the most excited things about getting drafted by the Marlins (in the fourth round in 2005), knowing there was an opportunity to play for the team that's in my hometown," said Sanchez, who played baseball at the University of Miami. "That's, to me, even more special than going to another team. This is my hometown, I grew up watching the Marlins and cheering on the Marlins. And now I get to play for them."
Sanchez, 21, won the Southern League Most Valuable Player award, hitting .314 with 17 homers and 92 RBIs for Carolina.
Although his playing time will be limited unless the Marlins get eliminated from postseason contention, he has a good shot at competing for a starting job in spring training.
MARLINS 5, ASTROS 1: Rookie Chris Volstad allowed one run on three hits in eight innings. Jorge Cantu hit a three-run homer in the first inning, his 27th of the year.
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