Ivan Rodriguez likes what he sees in the Florida Marlins and said he wants to stay with the team after this season.
The catcher, who lives in Miami, signed a one-year, $10 million contract in January.
“I like the organization, I like the team. It’s my home,” Rodriguez said in San Juan, where his team is playing a three-game series against the Montreal Expos.
“What I like the most is the camaraderie in the clubhouse.”
Rodriguez said he is focusing on the NL wild-card race and will not discuss contract talks until after the season.
“After that we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Rodriguez said he would like to be around when the team’s young pitching staff starts to fully develop.
“Our five starters are quality pitchers. Our team, if it’s not complete, it’s really close,” Rodriguez said.
Smoltz back on mound
Atlanta right-hander John Smoltz, on the 15-day disabled list with slight tendinitis of his right elbow, threw off the mound for the first time since going on the DL on Aug. 24. “He threw pretty good,” said pitching coach Leo Mazzone, adding that Smoltz threw at about 80 percent. Smoltz, 0-2 with an 0.89 ERA and 44 saves in 47 chances, is eligible to come off the DL on Monday but will likely take more time off before the postseason.
Chipper Jones, seeking his eight consecutive 100-RBI season, has 96 after knocking in three Saturday.
They need another stick
Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon ran out of position players and had to use pitcher Joe Beimel as a pinch-hitter for pitcher Mike Lincoln with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning Saturday. Beimel struck out. He’s 0-for-4 this season.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Los Angeles 10 at Colorado 2
W: Perez (12-10)
L: Oliver (10-11)
Shawn Green drove in five runs, Ron Coomer homered twice and Odalis Perez pitched six strong innings. Dodgers got their 7th win in 9 games. Rockies have lost 12 of their last 13.
Arizona 4 at San Francisco 5
W: Eyre (2-1)
L: Mantei (5-4)
Marquis Grissom drew a bases-loaded walk from Matt Mantei in 11th inning to give the Giants their sixth victory in seven games. It was the Giants’ 22nd victory this season in their final at-bat.
Cincinnati 6 at St. Louis 13
W: Williams (15-8)
L: Serafini (0-3)
Eli Marrero had a 2-run triple and drove in 3 runs in his 1st start since tearing ankle ligaments on May 11. Bo Hart had 4 hits and three RBIs. and Albert Pujols homered for the second straight game.
Florida 14 at Montreal-*4
W: Penny (13-10)
L: Ohka (8-12)
Marlins beat up on Tomo Ohka for 9 runs in the first 2 innings, and Brad Penny cruised. The Marlins scored 5 unearned in the 1st as they stayed a game back of Phillies in the wild-card race.
N.Y. Mets 6 at Philadelphia 9
W: Myers (13-7)
L: Griffiths (1-2)
S: Wendell (1)
Ricky Ledee hit a tie-breaking three-run double off Jeremy Griffiths, and Marlon Byrd and Bobby Abreu hit solo homers. The Phillies have won eight of nine after losing six straight.
Pittsburgh 2 at Atlanta 9
W: Maddux (14-10)
L: D’Amico (8-14)
Greg Maddux moved within 1 victory of becoming the 1st major-leaguer to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons. Gary Sheffield had 3 hits and drove in three runs.
Houston 10 at San Diego 4
W: Lidge (5-3)
L: Witasick (3-4)
S: Wagner (39)
Morgan Ensberg went 4-for-4 and had four RBIs and Brad Ausmus and Adam Everett each drove in a pair of runs as the Astros pounded the Padres. Astros won their third in a row.
*-at San Juan.
