http://www.miamiherald.com/589/story/197280.html

 

Florida hits rock bottom in loss to Phillies

BY CLARK SPENCER

The Marlins are setting club records left and right. Only they're not the sort that ESPN is interrupting its regular programming for to show. They're the kind that serve to explain why, for the first time in five years, the Marlins sit in last place this late in the season.

Dontrelle Willis became the franchise's losingest pitcher Wednesday by sustaining his 51st defeat in a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Mike Jacobs set a club mark for futility by extending his streak to 31 consecutive at-bats without a hit and the Marlins continued their fall in the National League East standings.

 

While the national spotlight fell the night before on Barry Bonds when he hit his record-setting 756th home run for the San Francisco Giants, his team's overshadowed loss to Washington lowered the Marlins into a last-place tie with the Nationals.

 

''It's not hard to fathom by the way we're playing,'' Marlins catcher Matt Treanor said. ``To think we're in last place, if you told me that in spring training, I would have laughed. I would have said no chance. Somewhat shameful is what I guess you could say.''

 

The last time the Marlins were floundering at the bottom of the standings this late in the season was Sept. 20, 2002. But that Marlins team managed to dig itself out of the cellar in the nick of time, finishing ahead of the New York Mets.

 

These Marlins have lost 11 of their past 15.

 

And Willis, once a winning fixture and fan favorite, continued on his rapid descent, losing his ninth consecutive decision. Willis has not won since May 29, a stretch of 13 consecutive starts without a victory.

 

`HAVING FUN'

 

''People aren't going to feel sorry for you,'' Willis said. ``I'm having fun out there. This game is not made for the weak. I guess, from the outside, it's hard to fathom. But I don't feel bad at all.''

 

Since the 2005 season, when he was the Cy Young Award runner-up, Willis has gone 19-24. He isn't fooling many batters with a delivery that is purported to be deceptive. Opposing hitters are batting .299 against him, and he is issuing walks at a rate of nearly four per every nine innings.

 

On Wednesday, Willis was out of whack. He made two throwing errors, hit two batters and uncorked a wild pitch when the Marlins were trying to intentionally walk Abraham Nu?ez to bring up the pitcher.

 

Eventually, Nu?ez received his intentional pass. But even that strategy backfired when Phillies starter Kyle Lohse broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the third.

 

That's how it's going for Willis and the Marlins. Willis hit his first home run this season, a two-run shot that put the Marlins ahead temporarily.

 

LITTLE TO CHEER

 

But that was one of the few bright spots for the pitcher and, for the most part, the Marlins in general.

 

In Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins possess two of the premier hitters in the majors. Cabrera hit his 28th home run, and Ramirez reached on an infield hit to maintain his lead in the batting race with a .342 average.

 

On Tuesday, manager Fredi Gonzalez used free-swinging Miguel Olivo in the clean-up spot. On Wednesday, it was Jacobs batting fourth.

 

Jacobs went 0 for 4 against the Phillies, surpassing the previous club mark of 30 consecutive at-bats without a hit -- a record held by former pitcher Brad Penny -- when Jacobs went 0 for 4, striking out in his final at-bat.

 

The Marlins did receive a bit of positive reinforcement help with the return of rookie center fielder Alejandro De Aza to the lineup Wednesday for the first time in four months, and he responded by going 2 for 3 in his comeback game from a broken ankle.

 

A little overly dramatic but true

I'll just say that you know you've reached bottom when you stop digging your hole, I hope tha Marlins can start throwing some sand back in that hole.

`HAVING FUN'

 

''People aren't going to feel sorry for you,'' Willis said. ``I'm having fun out there. This game is not made for the weak. I guess, from the outside, it's hard to fathom. But I don't feel bad at all.''

 

 

I'm glad someone is having fun because it isn't the fans. :confused

This is just ridiculous.The Marlins need to make some moves during the offseason.

Eh, anyone who didn't see this coming was a dreamer.

 

I think our problems coupled with the Nationals surprising ascension have exacerbated the problem, but this team just was not a great team on paper, then it was ravaged by injury. Oh well.

Eh, anyone who didn't see this coming was a dreamer.

 

I think our problems coupled with the Nationals surprising ascension have exacerbated the problem, but this team just was not a great team on paper, then it was ravaged by injury. Oh well.

on paper this team looked good. We had Willy, Uggla, Jacobs, Cabs, the starting rotation, Hanley, Olivo coming off strong years, a new CF, and two young guns in the pen. But we got hurt often and early.

wtf is willis talking about?

 

''People aren't going to feel sorry for you,'' Willis said. ``I'm having fun out there. This game is not made for the weak. I guess, from the outside, it's hard to fathom. But I don't feel bad at all.''

 

im glad the fans have to rely on a pitcher who doesnt feel bad about not winning a game SINCE FRIGGIN MAY! dred.. wtf?!?! he needs to start feeling bad about his performance, get friggin serious and ATTEMPT to pick up the pieces to salvage this season somewhat.

wtf is willis talking about?

 

''People aren't going to feel sorry for you,'' Willis said. ``I'm having fun out there. This game is not made for the weak. I guess, from the outside, it's hard to fathom. But I don't feel bad at all.''

 

im glad the fans have to rely on a pitcher who doesnt feel bad about not winning a game SINCE FRIGGIN MAY! dred.. wtf?!?! he needs to start feeling bad about his performance, get friggin serious and ATTEMPT to pick up the pieces to salvage this season somewhat.

I think he means he isn't going to the mound and sulking or wishing he wasn't out there

 

not that he enjoys losing lol