New York ? The San Francisco Giants sent Armando Benitez back to where he enjoyed his greatest success, trading the struggling closer to the Florida Marlins for reliever Randy Messenger on Thursday night.

Benitez, who recently rankled the team by blaming San Francisco hitters for not scoring enough runs, was not in the clubhouse after the Giants’ 4-2 loss to the New York Mets, and his locker was completely cleaned out. Benitez was 0-3 with nine saves in 11 chances and a 4.67 earned-run average. He had been getting booed at home, as he was last season.

“He’s been hounded by the media, the fans and some teammates,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said.