Emilio Bonifacio's big debut Monday gives the Marlins reason to believe their speed component will be a weapon this year.
Bonifacio, the Marlins' leadoff hitter, went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases and an inside-the-park home run in Florida's season opener. But he's just one of three regulars in the lineup with speed. Facing Nationals left-hander Scott Olsen on Tuesday, the Marlins had their three speedsters at the top of the batting order: Bonifacio, Cameron Maybin and Hanley Ramirez.
Against right-handed pitchers, Maybin will bat eighth with John Baker hitting second.
"Those are interchangeable parts," manager Fredi Gonzalez said of his ability to mix his three fast players in different parts of the order.
MARLINS 8, NATIONALS 3: If Josh Johnson can pitch all season as he did Tuesday, the Marlins will be thrilled. Johnson struck out eight and scattered seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking none. Of his 106 pitches, 75 were strikes. The Marlins scored all of their runs off Scott Olsen, whom they traded to Washington in November. Emilio Bonifacio, whom Florida got from the Nationals in that deal, went 2-for-5.
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