20-year Marliniversary: Willis ties Burnett's club record for shutouts with 3-hitter vs. Phillies

[Mike Ferguson]

In 34 years as a franchise, no pitcher threw more shutouts for the Florida/Miami Marlins than A.J. Burnett. Dontrelle Willis, however, did throw as many.

On this day 20 years ago, Willis tied Burnett’s club record with his eighth career shutout. Willis allowed just three hits and tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts in the Florida Marlins’ 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Willis was looking for his fifth straight quality start as he took the Dolphins Stadium mound on Sept. 10, 2006. The Florida lefty struck out both Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley during a 1-2-3 first inning. By the time Willis returned to the hill, he had a 2-0 lead.

The Marlins drew first blood in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Miguel Cabrera that scored Hanley Ramírez. Dan Uggla scored to make it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly from Wes Helms later in the inning. Helms added a second sacrifice fly in the seventh.

The biggest threat for Philadelphia came in the top of the second as Ryan Howard singled and Jeff Conine walked to open the inning. Willis responded by striking out Pat Burrell and Chris Coste before getting Abraham Núñez to line out to end the inning.

After hitting Shane Victorino with two outs in the third, Willis faced the minimum over the final six innings, utilizing double plays in the fourth and fifth innings. Willis retired the final 13 batters he faced.

For the day, Willis threw 122 pitches. He was ultra efficient during the middle innings, throwing just nine pitches in the fourth inning, five in the fifth and 10 in the sixth. Willis struck out Utley for the third time to end the contest. He also fanned Chris Coste three times in the win.

Despite just the three runs, Florida finished with 10 hits and chased Phillies starter Cole Hamels after just four innings. Ramírez led the Marlins with three hits. Cabrera and catcher Matt Treanor each added a pair of knocks. Howard had two of the three hits for Philadelphia.

After leading the National League with five shutouts in 2005, Willis’ gem against the Phillies would be his lone shutout of 2006. No one knew it at the time, but it would also be his final home victory as a member of the Marlins. It came on this day two decades ago.

View full article