KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Mike Hampton had another shaky outing, but Julio Franco strengthened his bid to make Atlanta's opening day roster by going 3-for-3 as the Braves beat a split squad of St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 Monday.

Hampton, acquired in a three-way trade during the offseason, gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits and four walks in five innings. His spring ERA is 7.07.

Jason Marquis, who relieved Hampton, allowed five hits and three runs in four innings but earned the victory when Adam LaRoche drove in Billy McCarthy with the winning run in the ninth.

St. Louis starter Cal Eldred, trying to lock up a spot in the rotation, gave up six runs on nine hits in three innings. Albert Pujols, who had had hit safely in all 15 games he had played, was 0-for-3 .

Marlins defeat Cards

Josh Beckett pitched five scoreless innings and Derrek Lee had a home run, triple and four RBIs as the Florida Marlins beat the Cardinals 9-3 in Jupiter, Fla.

In a split-squad game shortened to 7 1/2 innings by rain, Beckett allowed five hits, struck out four and walked none in his fourth spring appearance.

Woody Williams made his third start of the spring, all against the Marlins, and gave up seven runs -- six earned -- and eight hits in five innings. Williams fared even worse in his previous outing, on March 7, allowing six runs in 1 2-3 innings.

Williams will be the Cardinals' No. 2 starter behind Matt Morris, no matter what happens this spring.

"If I'm trying to make the team, I don't think I make it," he said. "It's just nice to be in this position."

Noteworthy

Cardinals RHP Dustin Hermanson was the first of seven starting candidates for five jobs to be eliminated. He worked two innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and pitching coach Dave Duncan said Hermanson wouldn't get another start this spring.

-- From wire reports