=== Florida Marlins Team Report - August 16 === (My Sportsbook) - Florida rookie Dontrelle Willis tries to bounce back from the worst loss of his career, as the Marlins resume a three-game series against the San Diego Padres today at Pro Player Stadium. In his last six starts, Willis has posted a 3-2 record with a 6.00 ERA, allowing 21 runs -- 20 earned -- over 30 innings. Over the six games, Willis has seen his ERA rise from 1.98 to 3.10. He enters this game off his third loss, Monday against the Dodgers, when he allowed a career-high seven runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout over two-plus innings. Today, Willis can set the Florida club record for all-time victories by a rookie. A victory today by the lefthander would eclipse the 11 wins by Brian Meadows (11-13) in 1998. Willis collected his first major league win against the Padres in San Diego on May 14, as he pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. The Marlins stayed one-half game behind Philadelphia for the NL wild card spot with a 10-0 win last night. Brad Penny (11-9) threw seven scoreless innings and established a career-high for victories in a season with the win. The righthander allowed just five hits, while striking out seven and walking one. Miguel Cabrera and Mike Lowell each hit solo homers for the Marlins, who have captured three of their last four outings. Lowell ended with three RBI, while Cabrera had two. The Marlins took two of three meetings in San Diego May 12-14. Florida has won eight of the last 10 meetings overall. Florida is 38-25 at home and has won 12 of its last 16 at Pro Player Stadium. |
