Marlins dealing with growing pains on defense

LOS ANGELES -- The importance of making the routine plays was preached daily by the Marlins coaching staff since the first day of Spring Training.

So much time and energy was devoted to being sound defensively, which is a reason why manager Mike Redmond is not pleased with how his young club has done in the field.

The Marlins have committed 29 errors, which is tied with the Cubs for the most in the Major Leagues.

"I think we've had some mistakes on plays that we should have made," Redmond said. "On routine plays. And maybe we've had some plays that guys with a little more experience would have made. But, at the end of the day, this is the big leagues, and guys are getting the opportunity to go out there and play. We've got to play defense. That's the way it goes. You've got to make plays in this league or you don't stick around."