Redmond continues to handle Fernandez with care

LOS ANGELES -- The way Jose Fernandez is pitching, nearly everyone wants to see more. But game-by-game performance will determine that, according to Marlins manager Mike Redmond.

The organization is handling the 20-year-old sensation with care. He entered the season not having pitched above Class A, and the team set a season limit between 150-170 innings.

Fernandez certainly impressed Friday night in Los Angeles. He gave up a three-run homer in the first to Adrian Gonzalez, then locked down and didn't allow another run in six innings as Miami rallied to a 5-4 win.

Fernandez, who has made seven big league starts, threw a season-high 86 pitches, 66 for strikes.

When will his pitch count reach 100?

"It depends on the situation," Redmond said. "Maybe in his next start he is at 85 or 90, and we can leave him out there for another inning. I think he's been doing what he's doing. We're at a comfort level right now with his innings and his pitches."

Fernandez is making a name for himself, and courtesy of agent Scott Boras, he now has a nickname: "JoFz."

Fernandez has throw 37 innings and has 39 strikeouts.

Redmond said he talks frequently with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez about how to handle the righty.

"We talk about it all the time to make sure we're taking care of him," Redmond said. "A lot of it depends on how his start is going, the type of innings he has, if he has to really grind and has to throw a lot of pitches, what that takes out of him."