Even though their closers have taken the Marlins on a bumpy roller-coaster ride this season, the team will likely be inclined to stick with Leo Nunez as their primary late-inning option in 2010.

The approximate $2 million that Nunez is expected to command in his first year of salary arbitration makes him a more affordable option than anything they are likely to find on the free-agent market.

Nunez, who was thrust into the closer's role when Matt Lindstrom landed on the disabled list in June, has had his share of good and bad moments.

While he has 24 saves, he has also blown seven chances, including Friday's meltdown in which the Mets rallied in the ninth for a 6-5 win.

But the Marlins also feel Nunez has promise in the role.

``With Nuny being new to the job, he's trying to figure out how to best use his change-up and fastball effectively, and he's just starting to work his sliders in,'' said Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley.

``He's capable of making the pitches. I don't know if he's confident in making all of them, yet.''

Nunez should garner a salary figure in the neighborhood of those received by other relievers in their first arbitration year, such as Mike Gonzalez ($2.35 million), Jose Valverde ($2 million) and Jonathan Broxton ($1.825 million).

FLU SIDELINES JOHNSON; GLOAD STARTS

First baseman Nick Johnson is not only mired in a 0-for-21 hitting slump, but is also under the weather. Johnson remained at home on Saturday with the flu.

Ross Gload started in Johnson's place at first base on Saturday and, therefore, was unable to add to his major league lead in pinch hits. With his 20th pinch hit on Friday, Gload set the club record for a single season, surpassing the old mark held by Lenny Harris.

LAND SHARK SETS SOGGY RECORD

The Marlins have endured a wet summer. Their 21 rain delays at Land Shark Stadium add up to 23 hours, 23 minutes -- a club record.

The previous wet-weather mark was set in 1999 when the club waited out 16 delays totaling 19 hours, eight minutes.

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