Lowell homers twice; Marlins batter Cards

JUPITER, Fla. -- Mike Lowell homered twice and Josh Beckett tuned up for opening day with two scoreless innings as the Florida Marlins beat the Cardinals 8-1 Thursday.

Mike Mordecai and Brad Banks also homered for Florida. Lowell's first homer and Mordecai's came off Cardinals starter Jason Simontacchi.

"I stopped throwing inside and got hit around a little," Simontacchi said. "I got off to a good start and had all three of my pitches working. This just shows me I have to continue to pitch inside."

Simontacchi also scored the Cardinals only run, leading off the third and scoring three batters later on an infield out. St. Louis got only six hits off seven Florida pitchers.

Beckett, who will start the opener Monday against Philadelphia, allowed two hits and threw 27 pitches.

Eli Marrero started at catcher for the first time this spring and went 0-for-3 in six innings. Marrero was sidelined for nine games with an acid reflux condition. He returned to play center field Tuesday and Wednesday. He has played in just 13 games this spring. This was his fifth appearance behind the plate.

Mike Matheny has caught most of the innings this spring. Backup Joe Girardi went back to St. Louis on Wednesday to have his troublesome upper back and rib cage checked out. He has also been hampered by knee pain.