Chris Volstad struggles in attempt to earn spot in Marlins rotation in 5-4 win over Twins

Volstad struggles but Marlins beat Twins 5-4

JUPITER, Fla. — Chris Volstad hurt his chances at solidifying a spot in the Marlins’ rotation, allowing four runs in 2 1-3 innings in Florida’s 5-4 victory over the Twins on Monday.

Volstad allowed five hits and four walks. He has given up eight runs on 11 hits and five walks in his last two outings.

“The first few innings were good. After that a couple of pitches were up, the breaking stuff was not quite as good,” Volstad said. “I just need to finish it a little more.

“That’s what happened last outing. I need to keep remembering to finish everything.”

The right-hander was one of six candidates for three spots in the Marlins’ rotation behind Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. One of those spots, though, appears filled by Anibal Sanchez after his four scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday.

“Anibal has looked really good and that’s a good sign,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Marlins prospect Mike Stanton had his third homer of the spring, a two-run shot in the third off Twins starter Francisco Liriano. Liriano pitched three innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out six.

Liriano said he was quick to the plate his final two innings after getting the side in order in the first.

“It didn’t give time for my arm to catch up to my body leaving some pitches up,” he said.

The Marlins rallied from a 4-1 deficit. Donnie Murphy drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the sixth.

Volstad allowed a leadoff single in the first and walked two, including the leadoff batter, in the second. He then allowed six of the seven batters he faced in the third inning to reach, including Jason Kubel, whose three-run homer gave the Twins a 3-1 lead.

Wilson Ramos’ RBI double three batters later made the score 4-1.

“It was encouraging the first two innings so I’m just going to feed off that for right now,” Volstad said.

Volstad slumped to 9-13 with a 5.21 ERA last year after going 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 15 games as a rookie in 2008. He allowed three home runs in 84 1-3 innings in 2008 and 29 in 159 innings last season. He has surrendered two home runs in his last two outings.

NOTES: Marlins INF Jorge Cantu missed the game because of flulike symptoms. Cantu likely will not play Tuesday.