Marlins respond after Ramirez calls players-only meeting

The Marlins might have reached their lowest point of the season Saturday with a 7-1 loss. After the

game, third baseman Hanley Ramirez, for the first time in his career, initiated a players-only meeting.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he did not talk to players after Saturday's game "because I might say the

wrong thing and tomorrow I might regret it. But Guillen vented to reporters after Miami's 15th loss in its

last 17 games.

"If we are the problem, my coaching staff, myself, then speak up. That's easy. ... But in the meanwhile,

they're the ones who perform and we are not performing the way we should."

Guillen, who never raised his voice during his postgame media session, said he is being patient with his

team because he knows they have talent to win, citing their 21-8 record in May. But there were signs his

patience might not last much longer unless the team starts to win.

"They haven't seen how I can get. That's why I try to be patient, be talking very normal here, but what

I see is terrible. What I see is pathetic, including myself. I take the blame," he said.

"I think there are a few people here who feel a little bit too comfortable and that (expletive) has got

to change."

Guillen didn't single out any players, but he made it clear it's up to them to reverse the course.

"They do not play loose. They play scared," he said. "I'm not going to say everyone, but it seems like

we are looking for something bad to happen during the game, and when you look for that, negative thoughts

come get you."

The Marlins then went out Sunday and shut out the Blue Jays 9-0.