Lynn strikes out eight in five innings as Cards fall to Marlins
JUPITER, Fla. -- Jose Fernandez struggled in his last tuneup for Opening Day as the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 Tuesday.
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year gave up five runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, struck out three and walked two. His next outing will be in Monday's opener at home against Colorado.
"It's not like I can put the ball where I want to every time," Fernandez said. "We'll see what happens in six days and go from there."
Marlins manager Mike Redmond wasn't overly concerned.
"You can tell he was having to really grind it out out there and wasn't quite as sharp with his pitches," Redmond said. "He tried to limit the damage. Overall, he got his pitches in and can move on."
Cardinals starter Lance Lynn struck out eight and walked one in five innings, giving up three runs and five hits. Lynn threw 59 strikes among 91 pitches. He started in three of the Cardinals' losses against Miami this spring training.
Juan Diaz hit his first spring training homer and drove in two runs for the Marlins, who rallied from a 5-3, seventh-inning deficit. Casey McGehee hit his second exhibition homer for Miami, which is 5-0 against the Cardinals this spring training.
There was a 46-minute rain delay after the top of the sixth.
TRAINING ROOM
Former Cardinal Rafael Furcal, hindered by a hamstring strain, is not certain whether he will be ready for the opener.
Furcal played in his second straight minor-league game as a designated hitter Tuesday.
"We're still waiting on Furcal," Redmond said. "We'll probably slide him into a game out here in the next couple of days. We definitely need to see him play in a regular game and see how that leg is feeling."
If Furcal isn't ready, Derek Dietrich, Donovan Solano and Ed Lucas are options at second. Adeiny Hechavarria left Monday's game in the fifth inning with a mild groin strain and the Marlins plan to rest him until Friday.
BOURJOS BORED
Peter Bourjos said recently playing center field has been boring during spring training because very few fly balls have been hit there off Cardinals pitchers.
"Overall, we haven't got to see his range, and that's a good thing," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
