Marlins mince Mets

With less than a week to go before opening day, the Florida Marlins haven't sorted out their crowded outfield competition.

"It just gets worse every day," manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday, when the Marlins beat the New York Mets 12-7. "They've done what we've asked. Unfortunately we can't take everyone with us."

Chris Aguila went 3-for-3 to raise his batting average to .327, Reggie Abercrombie went 1-for-2 with two RBIs (.386) and Eric Reed went 3-for-5 with two RBIs (.327). One of them is expected to play centre field and one could end up starting in left field.

"They're making it difficult on us and that's the way you want it to be," Girardi said. "You want guys fighting for it."

Abercrombie leads the team with 16 RBIs, but he's also tied with Jeremy Hermida with 16 strikeouts.

Jose Lima allowed five runs in two innings for the Mets, raising his ERA to 9.24.

Jose Reyes went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to raise his batting average to .538, while Carlos Beltran went 2 for 4 (.400).

Notes: RHP Brian Bannister won a spot in the Mets' rotation Tuesday when Aaron Heilman was put in the bullpen. Heilman allowed one run in two innings against the Marlins. ... Florida acquired RHP Todd Wellemeyer from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack. ... Florida dealt C Ryan Jorgensen to Cincinnati for INF Carlos Piste in a swap of minor leaguers. ... If the Marlins don't tell Matt Herges and Kerry Ligtenberg by Wednesday that they will be on the opening-day roster, the relievers can decide to become free agents. OFs Matt Cepicky and Mike Kinkade have similar provisions in their minor league contracts. Ligtenberg allowed three runs in two innings Tuesday.