MIAMI, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- The Florida Marlins kept baseball owners undefeated Saturday, winning their arbitration case against righthander Vladimir Nunez.
After making $360,000 last season, Nunez requested a raise of $1.39 million. Instead, arbitrators Kenneth Perea, Jack Clarke and I.B. Helburn sided with the Marlins, who offered the 27-year-old $1.4 million.
Appearing in a career-high 77 games in 2002, Nunez posted a 6-5 record with a team-leading 20 saves and a 3.41 ERA. The Cuban native, who lost the closer's job to Braden Looper after the All-Star break, owns a 17-26 career record with 21 saves and a 4.35 ERA in 193 games, including 27 starts.
Nunez became the second arbitration loser, joining Cincinnati Reds lefthander Bruce Chen.
The Marlins still have two upcoming cases as newly acquired lefthander Mark Redman will have his hearing Monday. Righthander A.J. Burnett's case will be heard on Feb. 17.
