If you didn’t believe me after last weeks outing, perhaps you’ll believe now. The Marlins took on the Arizona Diamondbacks in game 3 of their series Sunday afternoon and Ricky Nolasco mowed down another team of batters in route to a Florida victory.

Nolasco went 7 1/3 innings Sunday afternoon allowing only 2 hits, 3 ER, and struck out 10 Arizona batters. Nolasco is making himself fearsome at the plate as well as on the mound, knocking an RBI double to deep right to drive in a run in the top of the 2nd inning. Florida bats woke up and gave Nolasco all the run support he needed. Josh Willingham was 3-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs. Kevin Gregg kept his recent string of positive outings going. Though a little shaky, he still nailed down the save in the bottom of the 9th for his 29th as the Marlins won 5-2.

Nolasco is really stepping forward as the dominating ace of this staff, something every team needs in order to make a playoff run. In the month of August Nolasco has stepped up his game to help his team’s drive for the playoffs. He’s 3-1 in 5 starts with 43 Ks and only 3BBs. If the Marlins can make the postseason, Nolasco will for sure be their greatest asset.

Speaking of the Marlins’ postseason aspirations, the New York Mets lost today 6-4 to the Houston Astros. That puts the Fish 5 games out of 1st place, can you feel it? Do you believe yet?