McKeon move is 'disappointing' to Marlins reliever

Manager Jack McKeon has the Florida Marlins winning with the help of some unorthodox moves, and the latest one left reliever Randy Choate miffed. McKeon stopped by Choate's locker before Tuesday night's game to discuss the matter, and they agreed to disagree. ''It's disappointing,'' Choate said. ''But it's his prerogative and his call. He's the manager and I'm the player.'' Choate was surprised to be lifted in the ninth inning of Monday's game against the New York Mets with a count of 2-0 against Lucas Duda. It's the second time McKeon has yanked Choate in the middle of an at-bat. The veteran left-hander came in to start the inning with Florida leading 4-0. He gave up a single, retired a batter and allowed a walk before falling behind Duda. McKeon then changed pitchers even though he had a lefty-against-lefty matchup, and left-handed hitters were batting .107 (6 for 56) against Choate this season. ''I told him I felt I had a little bit of a track record here this year and deserved the chance,'' Choate said. ''I just don't want to feel like I have to look over my shoulder if I go two balls and no strikes to a lefty.'' McKeon said he changed pitchers because he thought Choate was out of sync. ''I understand the guy would be disappointed, but you've got to understand my case: I'm interested in winning,'' McKeon said. ''I thought that was the right move. It's nothing personal. I just had the feeling - this is the move I have to make. And it worked.'' Leo Nunez relieved Choate and earned a save by closing out a 4-1 win. That improved the Marlins' record to 15-9 since McKeon took over with the team in a severe June swoon. Even with the turnaround, some of McKeon's moves have caused a stir in the clubhouse. He gave starter Chris Volstad a quick hook in a win Sunday, and to save the rest of the bullpen, he let reliever Brian Sanches endure a drubbing in a lopsided loss. ''I'm trying to emphasize how to win,'' McKeon said. ''Leave your egos at the door. That's No. 1.''