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Recap: Nationals , Marlins
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Game: 0
Venue:
Date: March 29, 2009 1:05 PM EDT
  

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -With one week left before the regular season, All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez finally had a big game for the Marlins.

In a 3-for-33 funk going into the game, Ramirez went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer during Florida's 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. That boosted his Grapefruit League batting average to .167.

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``That doesn't worry me,' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``We've seen the at_bats keep getting better and better. I don't think they give batting titles in the Grapefruit League.'

Ramirez, who led the Marlins with a .301 average last year, was hampered by tendinitis in his right shoulder two days after he returned to the team following the Dominican Republic's early exit from the World Baseball Classic.

But he's starting to get in a groove. His home run off emergency starter Julian Tavarez in the first inning was Ramirez's second in three games.

``It's no worries. I know what I am. I know what I need to get ready for the season,' said Ramirez, who doubled in his second at-bat and later singled and stole a base. ``We've got a week. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be ready to go. My legs are starting to be where they're supposed to be.'

Both scheduled starting pitchers were scratched before the game, for different reasons. Washington right-hander Daniel Cabrera was pulled because of neck spasms sustained Saturday while swinging in batting practice.

Nationals manager Manny Acta said he's not sure if the injury will affect Cabrera's ability to make his first scheduled start of the season April 8 against the Marlins.

Cabrera is day to day and hopes to get one more exhibition start this week.

``The plan is, we've got to wait and see how he is today and then try to plan accordingly,' Acta said. ``You can't plan on him throwing unless he's able to. He'll have another (exhibition) start. He's not a guy to worry about because he's a guy who pitched winter ball, so he's been stretched out and all that.'

Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad, Florida's No. 3 starter, was pulled because of threatening weather. He pitched six innings in a minor league scrimmage Sunday morning on a back field, even though it never rained at Roger Dean Stadium.

Left-hander Graham Taylor, who will probably open the season at Double-A Jacksonville, started for the Marlins and tossed three perfect innings.

``I don't know where he came from, but he was good,' Ramirez said. ``He surprised everybody.'

Ronny Paulino made his Marlins debut, a day after being traded from San Francisco to be Florida's backup catcher. Paulino doubled in the second inning and finished 1-for-3.

``It's a good feeling to know you're going somewhere where you'll have a chance,' he said. ``I'm looking forward to helping this team win as many games as I can.'

Florida right-hander Kiko Calero, a non-roster invitee, improved his chances of making the team by throwing a scoreless inning. Calero hasn't given up a run in eight innings.

``I hate to pump him up because you know how superstitious I am, but he has been impressive,' Gonzalez said. ``He's an experienced guy in the bullpen.'

Former Marlins left fielder Josh Willingham homered off Carlos Martinez in the fifth, his first for the Nationals.

Notes: Florida closer Matt Lindstrom (sore right rotator cuff) threw off a mound again and hopes to be ready for the start of the season.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

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The Associated Press
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