VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Juan Encarnacion doesn't feel nostalgic
when he faces his former team.
Encarnacion, who won a World Series ring with Florida last year,
had another productive game Thursday, hitting a three-run homer in
the fifth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 9-6 win over the
Marlins.
"I was playing last year for them," he said. "But this year
I'm with a different team. I'm in a different place."
The Dodgers acquired Encarnacion in December to add punch to a
lineup that scored 574 runs last year, the fewest in the majors.
Encarnacion greeted Armando Benitez with a two-out drive to
left-center that put the Dodgers ahead for good 6-4. Encarnacion
has gone 8-of-21 with two homers and eight RBI this spring.
"What's important is what happens when the lights go on," he
said, referring to the regular season.
Florida led 4-3 when starter Brad Penny gave way with two on and
two out in the fifth.
Jason Romano went 2-for-4 with a homer off Penny while
continuing his bid to win a spot on the roster as a backup
outfielder. Romano is 13-of-33 with a team-high four homers and 10
RBI this spring.
"I feel I'm doing everything I can to make this team," Romano
said.
Joe Thurston went 2-for-4 and scored two runs for the Dodgers.
Wilson Valdez went 2-for-4 and Penny was 2-for-2 for the Marlins.
Penny allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.
Dodgers starter Jeff Weaver allowed four runs and eight hits in
five innings, while Wilson Alvarez gave up two runs in three
innings of relief. Paul Shuey pitched a scoreless inning for the
save.