20-year Marliniversary: Willis 1-hits Mets in 1-0 win

A Marlins memory from this day in 2003.

It’s been 16 years since Dontrelle Willis last pitched for the Florida/Miami Marlins franchise. Willis, however, still holds a number of team records, including career complete games. The first of those came on this day 20 years.

The Marlins and Mets were opening a three-game series on June 16, 2003. In just his eighth career start, the rookie left-hander was downright spectacular—and for the Marlins to win, he had to be. He tossed a one-hit shutout as the Florida Marlins edged Tom Glavine and the New York Mets, 1-0.

Willis went the distance, allowing just a hit and a walk while striking out eight. The Mets didn’t have a single baserunner reach scoring position.

A one-out single from Ty Wigginton in the fourth inning accounted for the lone New York hit. From there, Willis retired the final 17 hitters he faced.

The lone Florida run came in the fourth inning as Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez belted a solo home run. Glavine, the New York starter, allowed just four hits and three walks in seven strong innings. Rodriguez and Derrek Lee each had two of the six hits for the Marlins.

Willis needed just 109 pitches to complete the contest. After striking out Jay Bell to open the ninth inning, Willis got Tsuyoshi Shinjo to fly out and Vance Wilson to ground out to end the contest.

Willis would go on to win National League Rookie of the Year in 2003. He spent five years with the Marlins and left as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins. His eight complete games is still tied with A.J. Burnett for the most in club history.

The lone complete game from his rookie year was a 1-0 victory over a fellow southpaw and future Hall of Fame pitcher, Tom Glavine. It came on this day two decades ago.

Photo by Jon Soohoo/Getty Images