Law of averages catching up to Willis

 

 

By Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Monday, August 18, 2003

 

 

 

Dontrelle Willis has begun to understand the raised expectations.

 

Willis allowed three runs in six innings Saturday, a quality start by baseball standards. Yet he reads and hears how he struggled.

 

"Funny, they say I struggled," Willis said Sunday. "It was a quality start.

 

"I'm learning not to get caught up in what they say. People are going to say what they want to say about you. That's life. But people have to understand, I'm not working less. I'm still coming out early and getting my work done."

 

Willis, though, has not been the same pitcher since the All-Star break with a 2-2 record and 6.10 ERA. He was 9-1, 2.08 before the break. He remains a candidate for National League Rookie of the Year.

 

On Saturday, Willis, 21, allowed a two-run home run to catcher Gary Bennett, who entered the game hitting.203 with one home run.

 

"He made one bad pitch," manager Jack McKeon said. "He got behind and he threw it in there."

 

Willis has learned, especially since the break, how one or two pitches can change a game.

 

"Any game I pitch, it's only one or two pitches that is the difference between me having a good game and a bad game," he said.

 

Twice since the break, Willis has allowed six or more runs in two innings, including seven runs against the Dodgers on Aug. 11, the worst outing of his season.

 

"Everything was going so good for so long, I knew the law of averages was going to catch up," McKeon said. "He's had so many good outings. It's like a hitter who is hitting the heck out of the ball for two months and then all of a sudden for two weeks he can't hit a thing.

 

"You just hope he gets those out of his system."

 

Willis, whose next start is Friday in San Francisco, believes those struggles are in the past.

 

"I'm gradually getting back, but I'm not doing too bad."

 

McKeon praises Penny: For a relationship that started shakily, McKeon and pitcher Brad Penny have come a long way.

 

Talking about his pitcher Sunday, McKeon said: "He's been a model. I'm very happy with his progress. If this were June, he'd be a 20-game winner."

 

Penny is 11-9 with a 4.00 ERA and has won three of his past four decisions. On June 8, McKeon angrily responded to Penny's complaint that McKeon removed him too soon during a loss to Anaheim. Last month, McKeon questioned Penny's work habits.

 

Bump in the road: Nate Bump had his worst outing of the season Sunday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks in two-thirds of an inning. Bump entered the ninth inning with the Marlins leading 11-2.

 

"That's the first bad outing he's had since he's been here," McKeon said. "Some guys have a tough time pitching in the ninth inning with a big lead."

 

Bump's ERA ballooned to 4.56 from 2.74.

 

Castillo on Pujols: Second baseman Luis Castillo says he is rooting for St. Louis' Albert Pujols to extend his hitting streak, even if it breaks Castillo's record.

 

Pujols took a 30-game streak into Sunday's game against Philadelphia. Last year, Castillo hit in 35 straight, a record for Latin players.

 

"I have the record, but he's Dominican, too," Castillo said. "If somebody else does it, why should I be mad?"

 

Noteworthy: The Marlins contributed $7,000 worth of college scholarships to employees of the Florida State League. Lainey Ruskay, who works for the Jupiter Hammerheads, and Tim Stoyle, who works for the Palm Beach Cardinals, each received $1,000 toward tuition at Florida Atlantic University.... An MRI on pitcher Tommy Phelps revealed fluid in the left elbow and right knee. Phelps, on the 15-day disabled list, still is targeting September for a return.... Shortstop Alex Gonzalez was rested Sunday. Mike Mordecai started and had a two-run double in the eighth inning.

good article also good to see penny becoming friends with jack mckeon.