Starters hit hard in Cards' exhibition loss to Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. -- Dontrelle Willis was hit hard despite allowing only one earned run in two innings Friday as the Florida Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6.

The Cardinals scored four runs off Willis in the second inning after shortstop Alex Gonzalez made a throwing error. Willis gave up five hits.

"I couldn't throw a strike with my fastball at all. That summed up the whole day," Willis said. "It was a weird day. When I can't command a fastball I usually can't command anything else but I was able to throw my breaking ball and changeups for strikes. It was a little baffling."

Willis has a 3.27 ERA over 11 innings in four spring starts. The NL Rookie of the Year will begin the season as Florida's fourth starter, but there's speculation he could return to the bullpen when A.J. Burnett, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, rejoins the team.

"Whatever they want me to do, I'll do it," Willis said. "I just want to be out there competing and that comes back to staying healthy."

St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter retired the first six batters he faced before allowing five runs on seven hits in the third inning.

Florida's Juan Pierre went 3-for-4 and Armando Benitez pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.