JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- With less than a week to go before opening
day, the Florida Marlins haven't sorted out their crowded outfield
competition.
"It just gets worse every day," manager Joe Girardi said
Tuesday, when the Marlins beat the New York Mets 12-7. "They've
done what we've asked. Unfortunately we can't take everyone with
us."Chris Aguila went 3-for-3 to raise his batting average to .327,
Reggie Abercrombie went 1-for-2 with two RBI (.386) and Eric Reed
went 3-for-5 with two RBI (.327). One of them is expected to play
center field and one could end up starting in left field."They're making it difficult on us and that's the way you want
it to be," Girardi said. "You want guys fighting for it."Abercrombie leads the team with 16 RBI, but he's also tied with
Jeremy Hermida with 16 strikeouts.Jose Lima allowed five runs in two innings for the Mets, raising
his ERA to 9.24.Jose Reyes went 2-for-4 with two RBI to raise his batting
average to .538, while Carlos Beltran went 2 for 4 (.400).
Game notes
RHP Brian Bannister won a spot in the Mets' rotation
Tuesday when Aaron Heilman was put in the bullpen. Heilman allowed
one run in two innings against the Marlins. ... Florida acquired
RHP Todd Wellemeyer from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitchers
Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack. ... Florida dealt C Ryan
Jorgensen to Cincinnati for INF Carlos Piste in a swap of minor
leaguers. ... If the Marlins don't tell Matt Herges and Kerry
Ligtenberg by Wednesday that they will be on the opening-day
roster, the relievers can decide to become free agents. OFs Matt
Cepicky and Mike Kinkade have similar provisions in their minor
league contracts. Ligtenberg allowed three runs in two innings
Tuesday.