The defeat of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday evening marked something more significant than just another win. Anibal Sanchez returned to the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings of extremely effective baseball. Sanchez allowed 2 runs and 6 hits with 4 Ks while throwing 95 pitches. The Marlins went on to win comfortably, 12-2.

On the grander scale it marked the completion of the Florida Marlins young rotation. With Sanchez’s return to the mound, the fearsome foursome of Ricky Nolasco, Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, and Anibal Sanchez was once again complete in the Marlins rotation.

As rookies in 2006, the foursome proved difficult for opposing teams to deal with. Nolasco went 11-11 with a 4.82 ERA, Olsen was 12-10 with a 4.04 ERA, Johnson 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA, and Sanchez was 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA. No other team has ever had four rookies win 10 or more games in a single season. 2006 however was the last time the four were together in the rotation. Johnson injured his elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Sanchez had rotator cuff issues in his shoulder and missed most of last season.

The four are now back together and, most importantly, healthy. All of this couldn’t have come at a better time. Though they are all young, they are all blessed with talent and will be crucial as the Marlins chase down a playoff spot. We’ve seen it time and time again, good pitching is what sustains teams in the stretch run and into the playoffs. The Marlins now have a healthy, strong rotation to take the fight to the Mets and Phillies in the NL East.