Football
Associated Press 19y

Willis first Marlins pitcher to win 20

WASHINGTON -- This is all you need to know about Dontrelle
Willis' competitive fire:

One of the things he'll remember most about the night he became
the first 20-game winner in Florida Marlins history is the
sacrifice bunt he botched while batting.

As big a deal as his pitching is, Willis takes everything
seriously when he's on the field, from his performance at the
plate, to his hustle on the base paths, to his effort with the
glove.

And he does it all with a "Gee, this is fun!" smile.

"Whatever it takes. I'm a guy that loves the game of baseball,
period," Willis said. "All aspects. I take pride in all aspects
of the game -- defensively, pitching, whatever it takes to be
successful, that's what I take pride in."

Willis became the youngest NL pitcher in 15 years to collect 20
victories in a season, allowing four hits and a run over six
innings Wednesday night to help Florida beat the Washington
Nationals 12-1.

The left-hander also hit a single and a double, drove in a run,
and scored twice.

Willis improved to 20-8 with a 2.52 ERA, tying St. Louis' Chris
Carpenter (20-4) for the major league lead in wins. Willis walked
three and struck out three; the only run he gave up was on Rick
Short's first major league homer, in the sixth.

"You feel so happy when a guy reaches that plateau," Marlins
manager Jack McKeon said. "The fire and energy he brings to the
club is something special."

That's been clear since Willis rose from Double-A to the majors
in May 2003, was the NL Rookie of the Year, and helped Florida win
the wild card en route to a World Series title.

The confounding, high-kick delivery and flat-brimmed cap tilted
just right are still there.

Now the 23-year-old Willis wants to play beyond the regular
season again.

Sure, he appreciated the celebratory beer closer Todd Jones
poured on him in the clubhouse Wednesday night. But Willis knows
what it's like to be doused with champagne, and it's his club's
playoff push that's motivating him these days.

"It's a team sport, that's the bottom line. That's how I was
taught to play," he said.

Not that the significance of reaching 20 wins was lost on him.

He said he was particularly proud of becoming the first black
pitcher to do it since his boyhood hero, Dave Stewart, in 1990.

"We definitely are a few but a proud few," Willis said. "It's
historic. It's a beautiful thing, not only for baseball, but for my
team. Hopefully we'll just keep going."

Florida remained one game behind the Astros in the wild-card
standings, while the Phillies are 2½ behind and the Nationals 3½.

Truth be told, this had to rank among the easiest of Willis'
victories this season.

He was facing the worst offense in the majors. And the Nationals
-- down to three regular starting pitchers because of injuries --
pieced together a patchwork of seven pitchers who each allowed at
least one earned run.

Still, Willis appears to be completely recovered from a July
slump. In his last five starts, he's 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA.

"He didn't even have his good stuff today," Washington's
Marlon Byrd said. "Tonight felt like we were a second-tier team."

Willis improved to 3-0 this season against the Nationals, making
him 8-2 for his career against the franchise that used to be in
Montreal.

"Certain pitchers just have your number," Nationals manager
Frank Robinson said before the game.

Referring to his players, Robinson added: "They're aware of it,
of course. It HAS to change sooner or later. It HAS to, so maybe
this is the night."

Not quite.

Well, not even close.

There was a moment where McKeon held his breath, though. That
was in the first inning, when Jose Guillen hit a comebacker, and
Willis came off the mound awkwardly and felt his right knee pop,
but made the play for the third out.

The pitcher hopped twice, then came to a stop before leaving the
field. A couple of teammates checked on Willis, who had a slight
limp the rest of the way to the dugout.

"It scared me a little bit, because I wanted to make sure he
went five to get the win," McKeon said. "But then he told me he
was fine. He's a battler."

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