MESA, Ariz. -- Sean Marshall had another strong outing on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits in a three inning stint during an 11-4 win over Cincinnati at HoHoKam Park.
Marshall has give up two runs over seven innings in his three appearances, putting him in good position to gain one of the two starting vacancies.
"You know (what) my saying is- the best pitchers are going to leave camp, and they're going to be in the right spot when we're leaving," Marshall said, "I'm sure I can start, but I know that I can help as a reliever, a spot starter and a short guy, so whatever role I settle into, I think I'll have a lot of success doing it this year."
"I can't," he said with a laugh. "Not really."
So all four starters- Marshall, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija- head into their final starts on relatively equal ground. A decision will be made around March 24, manager Lou Pinielal said, so they can start slotting the pitchers for their first regular season starts.
No one has dominated, but no one has pitched themselves out of the completion either. So which two are in the lead?
"I wish I knew," manager Lou Piniella said after the game. "Do you all know? Usually you all know, but you're not sure right now, so that means that the competition is still open."
Piniella said he knew that Lilly was going to be out "basically the month of April," and that one of the two starters picked to replace him would eventually wind up in the bullpen.
"I'm more pre-occupied with our bullpen than anything else," he said. "The rotation part of it will take care of itself. But the bullpen part, I don't know yet."
Marshall feels the competition is going well.
"Each pitcher is going to have a rough outing," he said. "It's just the way baseball is. But it's always encouraging to see guys throw the ball well, especially the young guys here coming in and trying to take a spot, because there are spots to be taken."
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