MIAMI - Reds legend Tony Perez readily admitted that he feels more comfortable and prepared as the Florida Marlins' manager than he did when he managed Cincinnati in his ill-fated, 44-game stint in 1993.

        Perez said that having served in various front-office capacities for the Marlins since then has deepened his baseball knowledge. He also recalled fielding an undue number of hypothetical preseason questions in 1993 from Reds officials, who asked him what he would do in certain situations.

        “I don't think that was fair,” Perez said.

        Florida's victory Friday gave the Marlins a 28-21 record under Perez, a 2000 Hall of Fame inductee who hasn't yet been offered a contract extension. They were 22-26 before he succeeded John Boles on May 28.

        Perez initially said he would manage only on an interim basis, but changed his mind when players asked him to stay.

        “That made me feel good,” Perez said. “Because when I was fired in Cincinnati, the general manager (Bowden) told me the team's not playing for you. That's one thing I remember.”

Marlins 5, Reds 3 SULLIVAN: Dunn gets instant respect Reds trade Tucker to dump salary Rijo's comeback delayed Walker gets leadoff over Dunn Perez ready to manage this time Marlins' Floyd has become star Reds box, runs

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