Bonifacio gets a raise

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Emilio Bonifacio became the second player to defeat the Miami Marlins in salary arbitration this year.

Bonifacio was awarded a US$2.2-million salary by a three-person panel Wednesday rather than the Marlins' offer of $1.95 million. Arbitrators Steven Wolf, Mark Burstein and Sylvia Skratek made the decision a day after hearing arguments.

Pitcher Anibal Sanchez beat the Marlins on Monday and will make $8 million instead of the team's $6.9 million offer.

Bonifacio hit a team-high .296 last year with five homers, seven triples, 36 RBIs and 40 steals in 51 tries. The infielder-outfielder made $425,000 last year.

Players and teams have split four decisions, with Washington defeating John Lannan and Tampa Bay beating Jeff Niemann.