Florida's Ricky Nolasco was impressive once again as he continues to make his case to become the team's opening day starter. The right-hander gave up three hits and one walk in four innings. Uggla homered twice, Jay Gibbons and Jeremy Hermida hit three-run homers, and Logan Morrison had a solo shot for the Marlins.

Nick Evans had a three-run homer and Jeremy Reed added a solo shot for the Mets.

Santana was scratched from a start Feb. 27 and saw his role as opening day starter put in jeopardy at one point. But three days later, he was back on the mound and has breezed through several bullpen sessions. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is on track to make that first start in Cincinnati on April 6.

"It's just I had a little setback," Santana said. "I worked out and did all the treatment I was supposed to do and got back on track. I knew all along I was fine. It was just a matter of time, getting the game situations and facing hitters, and tonight was the time."

Tim Redding, vying to be the Mets' No. 5 starter, had a rough outing - his second of the spring after facing the University of Michigan in his debut on Sunday. Recovering from a shoulder injury, Redding gave up nine runs and eight hits, including three homers, in two innings.

"It's a shame because my side (session) the other day was lights out and felt great," Redding said. "The way I feel, I don't understand. It's all location. The pitches aren't bad, it's just the location on the plate. All we can do is do our best and keep getting ready for the season to start."

Gibbons hit a three-run shot in the fourth inning, and Morrison followed with a solo homer. Redding allowed two more runs before getting out of the inning, but the struggles continued in the fifth when Hermida hit a three-run homer.

The Mets scored six runs in the eighth against Ryan Tucker, including the home runs from Reed and Evans.

Santana needed just 10 pitches to get through a perfect first inning. He got leadoff batter Emilio Bonifacio on a popup to first with an 0-2 count, then struck out Cameron Maybin swinging at changeup before Jeremy Hermida grounded out to first.

"The first time being in a real game situation, I felt pretty good," Santana said. "I was able to get everything going right away and throw all my pitches. It was a good sign."

He gave up a home run to Uggla off a waist-high fastball on the first pitch of the second inning and hit first baseman Morrison with a pitch to his rib cage.

Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco led off the third with a single, and Santana gave up two more hits and another run before making his exit with a runner on first and two outs. He threw 47 pitches - 32 for strikes.

Nolasco gave up three hits and one run - on a sacrifice fly - with four strikeouts and one walk.

"He's pitching this spring, knock on wood, just like he left off last year, and those are good signs," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's working extremely hard, and he's getting better and improving from last year. He's right on pace to make his next start and add some more pitches."

Notes: The Mets optioned right-hander Eddie Kunz, and reassigned pitcher left-hander Valerio De los Santos, catcher Josh Thole and outfielder Rob Mackowiak to their minor-league camp. ... Mets left-hander Tom Martin, who was sidelined with a right calf injury, broke his wrist Thursday when he fell down the stairs in his home. He is out indefinitely. ... Hermida went 3-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Marlins. ... Nolasco hadn't given up a walk in seven innings but that streak ended against the Mets.