Cardinals, Marlins play to 2-2 tie in 10 innings

JUPITER, Fla. -- Scott Olsen showed he had the stuff to start on opening day. Unfortunately, his strong outing came a little too late.

Olsen, who didn't pitch the past two weeks because of shoulder tendinitis, allowed one hit and struck out three in three scoreless innings in the Florida Marlins' 2-2, 10-inning tie with the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez was impressed, but ruled Olsen out of the running in the wide-open competition for opening-day starter.

Gonzalez said Olsen is in line to start on the fourth day of the regular season, a Friday game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dolphin Stadium.

"Hopefully things go well for me this year and I'll be in the running for an opening day start next year," Olsen said. "Every time I'm out there, I want to try to stay healthy and throw strikes."

Olsen threw 30 pitches in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings . He was so efficient, he needed to throw 15 pitches in the bullpen to meet his pitch count for the day. Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus nearly homered off him, but strong winds kept the ball in the park.

"[Josh] Willingham tracked it down somehow. I guess the wind held it up. I thought that was gone," Olsen said.

The only player for either team who had multiple hits was Florida second baseman Alfredo Amezaga, who went 3-for-5.

Braden Looper gave up one earned run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.