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Willingham pounds Myers as Marlins even series

Apr 8, 2007 - 4:10 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Josh Willingham had Brett Myers' number.

Willingham was a single shy of the cycle and drove in four runs as the Florida Marlins evened a three-game series with an 8-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dontrelle Willis pitched six solid innings to improve to 12-1 all-time in April for the Marlins, who dropped an 8-2 decision to the Phillies in Friday's series opener.

After batting .277 with 26 homers and 74 RBI in his rookie campaign in 2006, the 28-year-old Willingham started just 4-for-17 this season before breaking out against Myers, who entered 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last nine starts dating to last season.

"(Willingham) made a huge difference in the game, but I'll tell you everybody was swinging the bats and contributing tonight," Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a good day for the Fish."

Willingham opened the scoring with a second-inning homer to left field, drove a run-scoring triple to left-center in the third for a 4-3 lead and doubled home two more runs in the fifth for a 6-3 edge that ended the night for Myers.

"Josh had a heck of a game today," Willis said. "We kind of knew what was going on and I'm sure he did to and there was a little pressure. But if he hit another home run, it wouldn't have made a difference to him at all because that's the kind of player he is."

In his attempt for the cycle, Willingham struck out in the seventh.

"You want to help the team win and that's all you're thinking about," Willingham said. "Sure, it would mean a lot but it's something you can't control. The main thing is going out there and doing what it takes to help us get back in the win column."

Willingham provided Willis (2-0) all the support he needed. The lefthander yielded three runs and seven hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.

"I said coming out of spring training that I felt comfortable and could get the job done. It's an early test of your character," Willis said. "I just keep attacking and attacking, and I always have confidence that I can get out of jams."

Reynel Pinto and Henry Owens followed Willis with a scoreless inning apiece before Florida scored two more in the eighth. Marlins closer Jorge Julio yielded a pair of runs in the ninth before retiring Ryan Howard with a runner on third to end it.

"We just didn't get it done," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's tough when you can't follow up a nice night (like Friday) with another good effort but it didn't happen,"

Myers was tagged with six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

"It sucks for me. It's very irritating to go out there and not do your job," Myers said. "It was a matter of not being effective with my fast ball. That sets everything up for me and when I'm not locating it it's a big problem for me."

Miguel Cabrera and Mike Jacobs had back-to-back RBI doubles in the third for Florida, which snapped a two-game losing streak.

Jimmy Rollins hit an inside-the-park three-run homer in the third, the third of his career and first since August 4, 2004.

Rollins hit a sinking liner to left-center that went under the glove of diving center fielder Manny De Aza and rolled all the way to the fence. Rollins slid around the relay throw from shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

"The minute the ball got past him, and knowing the stadium, I pretty much had it in your mind heading toward second base that I was going to go for it," said Rollins of his first such feat at Dolphin Stadium. "The play is in front of you all the way, unlike a hit to right, so you are able to see everything develop."

Gonzalez said the home run was the only blemish to an otherwise strong outing for Willis.

"He's the best," Gonzalez said of Willis. "All he does is go out there and gets out of three jams. He shakes off (the inside-the-park home run) and goes right back and does his job. He has the heart of a lion and battles all the time he is out there."