Baker on Roark vs. Fish: "Too early to start running from people"

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker explained why he decided to give Ben Revere the day off and start Fort Lauderdale native Michael A. Taylor in the leadoff spot.

"No Ben Revere because I like to play guy's at home, Michael A. Taylor's from here," Baker said. "And also we got a left-hander and also Ben's been playing every day since he got back."

Baker said the Nationals' charter also arrived very early in the morning from New York after Wednesday night's 9-1 win. Baker said that the Revere will not be the only starter that gets to catch his breath in this series.

"Also, we had a late, four o'clock in the morning get-in," Baker continued. "Usually, it's not the day you get in, it's usually the next day that you really feel it. You kind of go on fumes.

"So tomorrow, I'll have some more guys off because that was the latest we've arrived any time since I've been here."

And with the way the schedule was set up, the Marlins had an off-day at home yesterday after getting home from Philadelphia late Wednesday night. Baker said it's not an excuse, you just have to be sensible as you try to give some guys rest. But he did adjust their pregame schedule.

"The Marlins are fresh. But that's part of scheduling," Baker said. "I know it's the rules, but common sense should apply. The same way I remember we played the Cardinals. They got in like four or five o'clock in the morning the night before we played them.

"We ended up sweeping, not to say that was the case, but it sure helped us. Just going to have an abbreviated batting practice today just to get the some blood flow. I remember the Cardinals didn't come out at all when we played them. I said I'm not going to do that."

Baker is starting Tanner Roark as he tries to bounce back from an 0-3 start against the Marlins this season. In his career, Roark is 2-7 with a 4.63 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) versus the Fish.

Has he figured out why the Marlins have solved Roark to date?

"I don't know. No. 1 you got to locate better," Baker said. "We're looking to see if they picked up something on him. I know they have (Marlins hitting coach) Barry Bonds over there. He was the best, he was the absolute best. Hank Aaron said Barry was the best at spotting stuff. Hope he didn't spot anything on Tanner because we've been looking and looking.

"Sometimes it may not be anything. Sometimes teams are your nemesis. It's up to us to figure it out."

Looking back, did Baker consider starting Stephen Strasburg tonight and Roark against the Mets last night?

He shook his head, saying, "It's too early to start running from people. It's too early in his career and it's too early in the year."

On this series versus the Marlins, after going 5-5 against them this season, Baker said it is important because they do not see the Marlins again until Sept. 19-21 and then Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

If they don't take care of this series then: "This is very important what you do know because ... you are going to have to depend on somebody else to do your dirty work for you versus you doing your own work."