Notes: D-Train Wont be De Railed

Notes: D-Train won't be derailed

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Get tickets

Since the All-Star break, Dontrelle Willis is 2-2 with a 6.48 ERA. (Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

MIAMI -- One rough outing doesn't have the Marlins thinking the wheels have come off the D-Train.

A day after the Dodgers rocked rookie Dontrelle Willis in a 9-3 victory, the Marlins are chalking up the performance as a learning experience.

"He's failed before," pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said of Willis (11-3, 3.10 ERA). "He lost to Chicago. He lost two other games."

Since the All-Star break, Willis is 2-2 in five starts with a 6.48 ERA. Los Angeles exploded for six runs off the 21-year-old in the third inning and scored seven times against him.

"The question is can you make the adjustment and rebound in the next start?" Rosenthal said. "He's proven he can do that."

Willis' statistics since the All-Star Game are up-and-down. He's been very effective in three starts, while being bounced around twice.

The Cubs scored six runs on him in two innings on July 20. That game wasn't necessarily the most accurate gauge since Willis tossed two scoreless innings before the game was delayed 1 hour, 7-minutes by rain. When he returned in the third, he gave up six runs without registering an out.

Monday's start time was delayed 31 minutes due to the threat of rain.

Four of Willis' last 10 starts have been disrupted by weather.

Rosenthal did note that a mechanical adjustment will be worked on in Willis' bullpen session Wednesday. Outside of minor tinkering, Willis is on course to start Saturday against the Padres.

As for fear of wearing down, the Marlins are monitoring the 21-year-old lefty who made six Double-A starts before being brought up May 9.

Willis has 18 starts in the Major Leagues and thrown 107 1/3 innings.

A year ago, he tossed 157 2/3 innings in Class A ball.

The Marlins have already reduced Willis' between-starts bullpen sessions, having him toss about seven minutes instead of 10.

On Monday, Willis walked three and proved to be his worst enemy by getting behind in counts. And when he was missing, he was down in the zone.

"I think he was aiming the ball," Rosenthal said.

With all the attention Willis has received, and the fact he has been so dominating, Rosenthal said opponents may be gearing for him.

"I'm sure there is more tape and analysis and teams bearing down on him," Rosenthal said.

Willis remains a hot media story. On Wednesday, he will get more national attention as the guest on ESPN's Budweiser Hot Seat, which airs at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET.

"He's been such a dominating force," Rosenthal said. "Wouldn't you [opposing teams] want to study him a little bit?"