Marlins liking the road

The Chicago Cubs out-homered the Florida Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, but it was Jeremy Hermida's ninth inning solo shot that propelled the visitors to a 3-2 victory. The loss, just the 13th of the season for the Cubs at home, brings the Milwaukee Brewers within a half-game of first place in the N.L. Central.

Chicago, dealt with the unavailability of Kerry Wood due to a blister and Carlos Marmol having thrown 38 pitches the night before, used two relievers outside of their customary roles. In his Major League debut rookie Jeff Samardzija allowed one run in two innings giving up the lead. Bob Howry pitched the ninth, serving up Hermida's home run.

The Marlins' win brings Florida within one of making it a .500 record on the road this season. Only three other National League teams have accomplished that feat thus far: Milwaukee, St. Louis and Philadelphia. In the American League only the Boston Red Sox (.500) and the Los Angeles Angels have played even or better baseball on the road. The Angels' 31-18 mark is better than their 31-21 home mark, making them the only team in MLB with better numbers away from home and a winning record in both columns.

Chipped Jones

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is out of the lineup tonight with yet another injury. It looks like he'll miss his goal of playing in 150 games this year, which is a shame considering he's one of the elite hitters in baseball with a .369 average.

The return of Liriano

The Twins are getting close to bringing back Francisco Liriano. With him and a number of pitchers in the rotation possibilities to move to the Minnesota bullpen, it appears that Livan Hernandez would be most in danger of losing his starting job.

Hernandez, who has allowed a major league-high 178 hits, has dropped four straight road decisions since beating the White Sox on May 7. Despite reaching double-digit victories for the ninth consecutive season, he could be pitching to save his spot in the rotation with Francisco Liriano waiting in the minor leagues.

''He's one of my friends, but the situation is not easy right now,'' Hernandez said, adding: ''I think nothing is going to happen, because everybody is pitching good.''

Fantasy Impact: Expect Hernandez to be demoted sooner than later. Who cares if the Twins are 14-7 in his starts? He's 10-6, but his 5.29 ERA suggests it's run support that's getting him by.

Goodwill from Gotham?

Jayson Stark's latest says the Yankees are interested in Jarrod Washburn, but only in order to help Seattle, which can't afford the languishing lefty for the duration of his huge contract.

Sorry, but I don't think the Yankees do anything "goodwill," and this article from the New York Times would seem to suggest that there's a good deal of motive behind acquiring Washburn.

Fantasy Impact: With a series of strong starts Washburn is getting back to respectability after an awful start to his year. With an ERA at 4.75 (and falling) some Yankees offense would net him some extra wins. Consider him if a deal goes through.

Pedro's pain

Pedro Martinez left the Mets on Wednesday and will miss Friday's scheduled start as he returns home to the Dominican Republic following the death of his father.

While on the DL earlier this season Martinez went home to care for his ailing father. He hasn't pitched well this season, posting a 6.25 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings.

Fantasy Impact: You have to wonder if the gravity of having his father hurt Pedro's performance on the field. He's battle various injuries this year as well, but if he comes back inspired from the personal tragedy Martinez may still offer something special down the stretch.