Sports > Willis dominates as Marlins beat Mets

Willis turned in a good performance on the mound and helped himself with his hitting and base running to win his 19th game of the season, tying him with Chris Carpenter for the major league high.

Willis (19-8) broke the Marlins franchise record for most victories in one season, set by Carl Pavano last year. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk to win his fourth straight start.

"It's bigger than just me" Willis said. "For the most part, it's something that I can't fathom.

"Obviously, I'm close (to 20 wins), but it's historical. I never thought I'd be in the history books as far as individual awards, and what have you."

Willis also scored the Marlins' final run in the sixth inning, racing home from third base on a grounder and beating the throw on a head-first slide.

"I looked at the second baseman and I figured I'd go hard and give up my body to get in there," Willis said of the play at the plate.

David Wright's run-scoring single in the ninth inning chased Willis, but Todd Jones came on to close out the game in the ninth and picked up his 33rd save.

Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo and Juan Encarnacion each had two hits and drove in a run for the Marlins, who made 12 hits off four New York pitchers. Alex Gonzalez and Willis also both had two hits for Florida.

Victor Zambrano (7-11) allowed four runs on 12 hits over five innings and took the loss for the Mets. He struck out three and walked one before three relievers came on and didn't allow a hit the rest of the game.

Jose Reyes drove in the other Mets run and Victor Diaz had two of New York's eight hits.

The win kept the Marlins 1 games behind the NL wild-card-leading Philadelphia Phillies, who won at Washington.

Florida manager Jack McKeon won his 999th career game and needs one more win to become the seventh active manager to reach the 1,000-win milestone. McKeon gave full credit to Willis for his latest win.

"He's the complete package," McKeon said of Willis. "I thought he was very sharp tonight."

In Pittsburgh, Nomar Garciaparra hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pirates 7-3.

Greg Maddux (11-11) pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six for the win. Ryan Dempster pitched 1 1/3 innings for his 21st save and Michael Barrett homered for the Cubs.

Josh Fogg (6-10) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out two to take the loss. Jack Wilson had three hits for the Pirates.

In Washington, David Bell hit a grand slam as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Nationals 7-1.

Vicente Padilla (8-12) pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking two and striking out two for the win.

John Halama (0-2) pitched three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out four to take the loss. Brad Wilkerson had two hits and drove in one run for the Nationals.

In Atlanta, Chipper Jones homered and Tim Hudson won his 12th game as the Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4.

In Milwaukee, Geoff Jenkins hit a grand slam as the Brewers beat the San Diego Padres 12-2.

In Houston, Eric Bruntlett singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning, leading the Astros past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5.

In Denver, Garrett Atkins homered and drove in four runs as the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-3.

In Phoenix, Ray Durham homered and drove in four runs to help Jason Schmidt win his 12th game as the San Francisco Giants edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3.

2005-09-03