Cards drop rain-interrupted exhibition game 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 on Tuesday.

The reigning NL Rookie of the Year gave up five runs in nine hits over 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.

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.

Noteworthy

* The Marlins released former Cardinals infielder Ty Wigginton, who came into camp on a minor league contract. St. Louis signed Wigginton to a two-year contract last year but released him midseason.

"It was tough telling a guy who has been around for a long time that it's not going to happen this year," Redmond said.

* Former Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal, hindered by a hamstring strain, is not certain whether he will be ready for the Marlins' season 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.