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By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 15, 2001
Today: 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: 4:05 p.m.
SCOUTING REPORT: The hiring of Tony Perez as manager on May 28 seems to have sparked the Marlins, who are 9-7 after the Hall of Famer's arrival and third in the NL East. Florida is solid at the plate with Kevin Millar, Cliff Floyd, Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez playing well. The young pitching staff has been a pleasant surprise, particularly A.J. Burnett. It ranks second in the league in hits, shutouts and home runs.
THE PAST WEEK: The Marlins (31-33) have won six of 11 after losing 6-4 at the Red Sox on Thursday.
RAYS-MARLINS CONNECTIONS: Outfielder Randy Winn played three seasons in the Marlins organization before being picked by the Rays in the 1998 expansion draft. ... Third baseman Aubrey Huff set a University of Miami record with 93 RBI his senior year. ... Rick Williams, the Marlins' director of player development, was the Rays' pitching coach from 1997 until last season. ... Bullpen coach Darren Daulton was the Marlins' catcher when they won the World Series in 1997.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Marlins lead 11-5, winning eight of the first 10. The series is 4-4 since July 10, 1999. Florida has averaged more than seven runs a game against the Rays in the past two seasons.
WHO'S HOT: Designated hitter Millar has 7 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 17 RBI in his past 24 games.
WHO'S NOT: Catcher Charles Johnson was 4-for-21 with one double and one RBI on the six-game road trip.