Lynn works on breaking pitches in tough start

JUPITER, Fla. -- In the past, an outing like the one he had Friday afternoon might've bothered Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn.

Lynn gave up five runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. He struck out three batters and walked another.

A trio of doubles plated three runs in the third. An RBI single and sacrifice fly knocked Lynn -- who was initially scheduled to start -- from the game with one out in the fourth. Right-handed batters drove in all five runs.

"You never want to do bad. It doesn't matter what the situation is," said Lynn, who threw 53 pitches. "When it comes down to it, you know what you need to fix. Back then, it was one of those things where I was like, 'I don't know how to fix that.' I like the way the ball felt coming out of my hand. I just didn't throw the ball where I wanted to."

Of the 28 pitches in his spring debut on Saturday, 25 were fastballs. For Lynn's second appearance, he concentrated on his breaking stuff.

Even though the results weren't favorable, Lynn acknowledged throwing more of those pitches better prepares him for the season and gives him a feel for how hitters react to them.

"Changeup felt really good today. My slider was flat all day," Lynn said. "That's why we're here working on it. That'll be something I'll concentrate more on the next bullpen and make sure that it's sharper."

The 26-year-old, who has won 33 games over the past two seasons, is expected to earn a spot in the rotation. It has not, however, been promised to him.

"There's going to be some things I work on next week," Lynn said. "I definitely want to get my slider to where it needs to be. I like the break in my curveball. My changeup's right where I want it to be. Right now, I've got two of my four pitches. Maybe next, get those other two where I want them."