no comment

 

on another note nice game for some of the youngsters :thumbup

Marlins 9, Mets 3

 

BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

 

 

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(03-09) 13:54 PST PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) --

 

Hee Seop Choi and Wil Cordero hit consecutive home runs and the Florida Marlins beat the New York Mets 9-3 Tuesday for their fifth straight win in spring training.

 

Darren Oliver pitched four innings in his first start for the World Series champions, allowing a run on Mike Cameron's RBI double. Oliver has given up one run in seven innings in exhibition play.

 

Signed more for his glove than his bat, Cameron made a sparkling catch on Miguel Cabrera's two-on, none-out drive to left-center in the first inning. Cameron glided into the alley and backhanded the ball at the warning track.

 

"That play might be a focal point to some people, but to me, it's routine," the two-time Gold Glove center fielder said. "It's what I expect to do."

 

The Mets had problems catching the ball in the outfield last year, especially in center. Pitcher Al Leiter helped recruit Cameron in the offseason, and talked to team management about signing the free agent.

 

Leiter was on the mound when Cabrera launched his long drive.

 

"When he hit it, I was thinking I would be backing up third base or home," Leiter said. "That's one of the major reasons he's here."

 

"That was the plan, and I saw it up close and personal," he said. "The scenario we've talked about actually came to life. It's a big boost, especially to a pitcher."

 

Cabrera was impressed.

 

"He made a great play, like great players are supposed to," he said. "He got a good jump."

 

Cabrera hit a leadoff double in the sixth and Choi homered for a 2-1 lead. Cordero also connected, keying a six-run burst.

 

Braden Looper, who helped pitch the Marlins to the championship last October, threw a scoreless inning for the Mets. He struck out Choi and Cordero, gave up a double to Mike Mordecai and retired Mike Redmond on a grounder.

 

"It was a little weird facing them, knowing those guys so well," Looper said. "I talked to Mike Redmond before the game. For five years, his locker was right next to mine. I'm glad I got him out."