mo' big stuff

Whether Chris Coghlan was ready to handle center field for the Florida Marlins was called into question by Sports Illustrated in its baseball preview issue. Citing the former Ole Miss standout's limited time there in spring training because of a shoulder injury, the magazine suggested he be moved back to second base, where he played in the minors. Well, never mind. Coghlan, who played left field for the Marlins the last two years, has looked just fine in center. He made a diving catch on Thursday night in Atlanta that might have saved three runs and the game in Florida's 6-5 victory. After a slow start at the plate, Coghlan found his stroke at Turner Field, as well, going 7-for-12 in the series to boost his average to .288. He is 19-for-47 lifetime at the Ted. ... One word for Cliff Lee's performance on Thursday: wow. The Meridian Community College alumnus threw a three-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts as Philadelphia beat Washington. ... Seth Smith, the Hillcrest Christian and Ole Miss product, is hitting .308 for red-hot Colorado, which has the majors' best record at 10-2. If Smith can figure out how to hit lefties, he might be a regular All-Star. ... Another ex-Rebels star, Matt Tolbert, is hitting .384 in limited time with Minnesota. ... Former Mississippi State star Paul Maholm has a 2.33 ERA but an 0-2 record in three starts for sad-sack Pittsburgh. ... Former Mississippi Braves standout Jeff Francoeur is hitting .292 for surprising Kansas City, off to a 7-5 start under ex-Jackson Mets catcher Ned Yost. ... Buck Showalter's Baltimore Orioles have cooled off, dropping four straight and tumbling out of first place in the American League East for the first time since opening day.