--RHP Carlos Martinez hopes his latest stint with the Marlins goes much better than his first. In August 2007, he allowed three home runs in 3 2/3 innings for a 13.50 ERA that bought him a ticket back to the minors. At the time, Martinez was rusty because he was coming back from Tommy John surgery. Now, he said he feels great. "The last time I was here I didn't feel great because I just had my operation," he said. "I felt like I had the confidence but my pitches didn't show it. I feel better now."
--Now that the Marlins have faced every team in the NL East, manager Fredi Gonzalez does not believe anybody can run away with the division. "I think it's up for grabs," Gonzalez said. "I think everybody is equal. Whoever stays healthy has the best chance." --Class AAA New Orleans 1B Gaby Sanchez attended the Marlins' game Wednesday night with the help of crutches. Sanchez was examined in Miami after injuring his right knee in a collision at home plate Tuesday. Sanchez, who will be out at least a month, was hitting .345 with four home runs and 16 RBIs for New Orleans.
--Give manager Fredi Gonzalez credit for using humor to deflect controversy.
Rookie CF Cameron Maybin, who struck out three times Monday, was out of the lineup Tuesday. Alfredo Amezaga started in center field.
"It's a new league rule," Gonzalez said when asked why Amezaga was replacing Maybin. "On Cinco de Mayo, you've got to play all the Mexican and Mexican-American players you have on your team. We may even pitch (Ricky) Nolasco."
For the record, there were two players of Mexican descent in the starting lineup: Amezaga and 1B Jorge Cantu.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Grand slams allowed by the Marlins through May 3, including three on their recent road trop that.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't know you could take five minutes in the ninth inning to find a hitter." -- RHP Matt Lindstrom, on the Mets taking so long to get a pinch hitter April 29. Mets manager Jerry Manuel was fined over the weekend for violating the league's pace-of-game rules.
