The Associated Press
Tuesday , April 25, 2000

MIAMI –– Mike Lowell has not missed a game this season for the Florida Marlins. That's about to change – because of the
Elian Gonzalez case.

Lowell and several other Marlins plan to skip tonight's home game against San Francisco, honoring a call by Miami's
Cuban-American community for a work stoppage to protest the way the 6-year-old boy was taken from his great-uncle's
home Saturday.

The Marlins organization gave its OK for front-office workers, players and coaches to be absent with pay. The team will close
its downtown merchandise store for the day.

Lowell, the starting third baseman, leads the club with 19 RBIs in 21 games. He is married to a Cuban woman and his parents
are Cuban exiles.

"I think a lot of Americans and Latins feel this way. You don't have to be Cuban to support this," said Lowell, who was born in
Puerto Rico. "I've got problems with them (the U.S. government) saying they're concerned with the kid's welfare, and they go
in there like it's World War III."

Alex Fernandez, the winning pitcher Monday night in a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia, will miss the game. So will pitchers
Vladimir Nunez and Michael Tejera, who's on the disabled list.

Third base coach Fredi Gonzalez, infield coach Tony Taylor and bullpen Luis Perez also plan to be absent, as does
Cuban-American Hall of Famer Tony Perez, an assistant to general manager Dave Dombrowski.

"I agree with it 100 percent," Marlins manager John Boles said. "The skids were greased when I recommended them to do it.
There are more important things in the world than our game with the San Francisco Giants. Not a lot, but this is one of them."

Fernandez (3-2) gave up seven hits in 7 2-3 innings, his longest outing of the season.

In the only other NL game, New York beat Los Angeles 1-0.

Fernandez, who struck out three and walked two, expressed his concern for Elian Gonzalez's welfare.

"I can't defend, and am very against, what they did and what they're doing," Fernandez said of the U.S. government's role in the
Gonzalez case. "It's great that the Marlins did this and they know what a big part of the Cuban community loves the Marlins
and supports baseball."

"I wouldn't have pitched," he said. "I'm making it a point as a Cuban-American, and I'm proud to say that. You won't be seeing
me here (tonight)."

Said Dombrowski: "Anyone who's passionate about the situation, we will respect their wishes."

"We have also alerted the Giants of the situation because they'll be flying into this. They also have Livan (Hernandez) and we
wanted to make them aware."

Nunez will start Wednesday night against Hernandez, the hero of Florida's 1997 World Series win. Both pitchers were born in
Cuba.

In March 1999, Marlins owner John Henry joined a protest outside Baltimore's spring training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,
after the Orioles announced their intention to play an exhibition game against a Cuban team in Havana.

"Everybody has to account for their own actions, and if they feel the need to do it," said Preston Wilson, who hit a two-run
homer in the first inning against the Phillies. "A situation like this is a lot bigger than one baseball game."

That's how Perez sees it.

"Something big like this, you might have to do it. The Cubans here have to support it," he said.

The Marlins have won seven of nine. The Phillies, who won the series opener before dropping the last three, wrapped up a 1-6
road trip.

Antonio Alfonseca pitched the ninth and earned his eighth save in nine chances.

Mark Kotsay led off the Marlins first with a single and Wilson hit an opposite-field homer to right against Randy Wolf (1-2).

Mets 1, Dodgers 0

Matt Franco's infield single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Mets their eighth straight victory.

Los Angeles made a one-game trip to New York to make up a snowout earlier this month.

Robin Ventura opened the ninth with a double off Terry Adams (1-1), and Jon Nunnally walked. Jay Payton hit a grounder in
the hole to shortstop Kevin Elster, who made a backhand flip to third base.

But Adrian Beltre's foot was off the bag, and he missed the tag on pinch-runner Melvin Mora. Dodgers manager Davey
Johnson argued the call and was ejected.

After a forceout at the plate, Franco hit a chopper off Adams' glove that let Nunnally score without a play.

                                    © 2000 The Associated Press