CHANGE Marlins win opener under McKeon, 7-2

The new manager told his team to have fun against Colorado.
MIAMI (AP) -- Eager to impress new manager Jack McKeon, the Florida Marlins did just as he instructed.
"The message was to have fun," McKeon said. "I told them, 'I think you're trying too hard. Relax and have fun, and we'll win.' "
McKeon was right, and the Marlins beat Colorado 7-2 Sunday in his first game as their skipper. He replaced Jeff Torborg, who was fired after a 16-22 start.
Florida gave McKeon solid pitching, good defense and clutch hitting -- elements often missing under Torborg.
"We'll go undefeated with him from now on," joked Mike Lowell, who hit his 10th home run.
Castillo leads way
Luis Castillo had four hits, including his 10th career homer in 2,897 at-bats. Juan Pierre stole three bases and scored four times. Carl Pavano (3-4) pitched seven innings despite allowing 12 hits.
McKeon barely had time to introduce himself to his players before the Marlins took the field, and he struggled to remember their names afterward. But for one day, at least, the change in managers had the desired effect.
"The players get a mulligan and say, 'Here we go,' " Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "But Pavano made more of a difference today than Jack McKeon, no disrespect to Jack."
General manager Larry Beinfest said he decided to fire Torborg and pitching coach Brad Arnsberg after the Marlins lost for the seventh time in eight games Saturday. Beinfest said the team has performed below expectations, and he didn't discount the way Torborg and Arnsberg handled an injury-plagued pitching staff as a factor in the firing.
"We are underperforming," Beinfest said. "The fans here in South Florida deserve to have hope this summer. There is enough time left to turn it around and get back in it."
Arnsberg upset over firing
While Torborg took his dismissal in stride, Arnsberg became angry when told he was fired. Beinfest said he and owner Jeffrey Loria went to the pitching coach's apartment late Saturday to inform him.
Arnsberg said the meeting lasted 90 seconds. He declined to disclose what he told Loria and Beinfest.
"He was abusive and clearly unprofessional," Beinfest said. "I would say he was bordering on violent."
Arnsberg said he wasn't shocked to be fired.
"All I'll say is when one is so vindictive, they'll finally get their way," Arnsberg said. He wouldn't elaborate.
Torborg, 61, said he was surprised by the moves but understood Beinfest's desire to make changes.
"We haven't won enough games," Torborg said. "But I was so proud of the way these kids play. They play with such enthusiasm."
Despite speculation in recent days about a managerial change, several players said they were shocked. The clubhouse consensus was that Florida's disappointing record has been a team effort.