MIAMI (AP) -- For a franchise suddenly in limbo, the Florida Marlins looked pretty impressive Monday night.

They drew a big crowd, their ace pitched well and they had 12 hits to beat the San Francisco Giants 6-4 on Opening Day.

"Perfect ending to a very rough day," manager John Boles said.

Hours before the first pitch, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said he'll oppose cruise-tax legislation to help finance a new ballpark for the Marlins.

Bush's threat of a veto probably kills the plan pushed by Marlins owner John Henry and leaves the financially troubled team with an uncertain future.

"We didn't get good news today," Boles said. "So it was a nice way to end the day for our owner."

Other than the political defeat, a sellout crowd of 35,101 had plenty to cheer about, although there were several thousand no-shows. Some fans stayed home to watch the Florida Gators play Michigan State for the NCAA championship.

"What a great atmosphere," Marlins catcher Mike Redmond said. "It's so great to play in front of crowds like that. You know the support is here -- we've just got to get that stadium."

Alex Fernandez outpitched former teammate Livan Hernandez, and for one night, at least, the Marlins looked a lot better than they did in 1999.

"It wasn't a one-man show. It was a whole-team show," Fernandez said. "We all played well. The whole team is going to be improved this year at every position."

Florida won't be printing World Series tickets just yet. Last year Fernandez pitched the Marlins to victory in their opener, but they lost 16 of the next 21 games and finished with the worst record in the major leagues for the second consecutive season.

Fernandez allowed eight hits and three runs in seven innings. He also drove in a run in the sixth, taking a 3-2 pitch to right field for a single and a 5-3 lead.

"That was more luck than anything," Fernandez said. "But it worked."

Offseason acquisition Dan Miceli pitched a perfect eighth against the heart of the Giants' order, and Antonio Alfonseca earned a save, although he gave up a homer to Ellis Burks in the ninth.

Preston Wilson went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Marlins, who won their fourth consecutive opener.

Two San Francisco errors in the fifth inning cost Hernandez a 3-2 lead, and he left after giving up nine hits and five runs, three earned, in six innings. He was the Marlins' Opening-Day pitcher two years ago and was traded to the Giants last July 24.

"If Livan throws like that and we tighten up on defense, he'll win a lot of games," manager Dusty Baker said.

Redmond started Florida's fifth-inning comeback with a single. Alex Gonzalez reached on an error by shortstop Rich Aurilia, and Cliff Floyd walked to load the bases. Wilson singled home a run, and Gonzalez scored from second when left fielder Barry Bonds bobbled the ball for an error.

Aurilia was unhappy that official scorer Doug Pett charged him with an error.

"I'd like to see that guy come down and make that play," Aurilia said.

The Giants, who hit .317 in spring training, had 10 hits. Bill Mueller hit a two-run triple, and Jeff Kent had a double and a triple.

But the result was familiar. Last year the Giants went 0-3 at Pro Player Stadium, blowing a four-run lead in three consecutive games.

"The Marlins have been a tough team on us since they've been in this league," Bonds said. "They've given us trouble in the past. The good thing is, if you're going to have trouble, have it in April."

Game notes
New Hall of Fame member Tony Perez, who works in the Marlins' front office, threw out the first pitch. ... The Marlins had four players in their starting lineup who weren't there on opening day a year ago. ... Florida's payroll of $19.5 million is $1 million higher than a year ago on opening day. ... New Marlins right fielder Brant Brown went 0-for-3 and fell to 0-for-11 lifetime against Hernandez. ... Hernandez's brother, Orlando, started the New York Yankees' opener Monday night at Anaheim, making them the fifth brother tandem to start openers in the same season since 1970. ... The Giants opened on the road for the 11th time in 13 years.