Redbirds conclude play in Florida with 6-3 victory against Marlins

~ St. Louis rallied in the ninth inning and concluded Grapefruit League play at 19-12

JUPITER, Fla. -- Florida Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson finished his first healthy spring in three years with a strong start Thursday in a 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Johnson, who will start the second game of the season, allowed a run and five hits in four innings to finish with a 3.23 ERA in seven Grapefruit League games -- six starts.

Johnson, known for a mid-90s fastball, barely threw a changeup last year when he returned from Tommy John surgery in July and went 7-1 in 14 starts. He has been throwing changeups this spring and has struck out 29 and walked seven in 30 2/3 innings this spring.

After giving up a home run to Colby Rasmus on a fastball in the first inning, Johnson struck out Rasmus in the third with changeups.

Right-hander Ricky Nolasco will start the season opener for the Marlins on Monday against Washington.

Cody Ross hit his fourth homer of the spring off Todd Wellemeyer in the fifth, tying it at 2-2. Andy Gonzalez, who went 2-for-3, doubled and scored on Cameron Maybin's single to give Florida a 3-2 lead.

But Marlins right-hander Brian Sanches, who's trying to win a final bullpen spot, gave up four runs in the ninth inning. Sanches gave up five hits in the ninth, including doubles to Daryl Jones, Rasmus and Brian Barden.