NEW YORK — At the very least, Willie Randolph has more time to try and turn the Mets around.

How much more time? Good question.

The embattled Randolph got a bit of a reprieve Monday when he kept his job as New York's manager — for now — after a much-anticipated meeting with ownership.

"I didn't come in thinking that I was going to get fired," he said.

Hours later, however, the Mets kept losing.

Mike Pelfrey lasted only four innings and the offense fizzled following an energetic start during a 7-3 loss to the surprising Florida Marlins.

"A lot of stuff was taken care of," Randolph said, describing his entire day. "Now, we move on and try to win some ballgames."

Luis Gonzalez hit a three-run double for the young and hungry Marlins (30-20), who moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 14, 2005. They lead the NL East despite a major league-low payroll of $22 million on opening day.

Jose Reyes homered twice for the $138 million Mets but committed a two-out error at shortstop in the first that led to two unearned runs.

Pelfrey (2-6) dropped his sixth straight start as fourth-place New York (23-26) fell three games below .500 for the first time since Sept. 18, 2005.

Back home after a 1-6 road trip, the Mets lost for the 10th time in 14 games overall. With few fans remaining at Shea Stadium in the late innings, a chant of "Fire Willie!" could clearly be heard.

"It's like being booed," Randolph said. "It's the same thing more or less. They're expressing themselves."

In other NL games, it was: Atlanta 7, Arizona 3; Philadelphia 20, Colorado 5; Chicago 3, Los Angeles 1; and Milwaukee 4, Washington 3 in 11 innings.

Earlier in the day, Randolph sat down with owner Fred Wilpon and his son, Jeff, the club's chief operating officer, as well as general manager Omar Minaya to discuss two things: the team's sluggish play, and Randolph's comments last week about his portrayal on Mets broadcasts in which he raised the issue of race.