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Cubs' struggles continue with loss to Marlins

May 30, 2007 - 5:30 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Dontrelle Willis and the Florida Marlins have started to really enjoy life on the road.

Willis went seven innings to lead the Marlins to their fifth straight road win, a 9-4 triumph over the struggling Chicago Cubs.

Willis (7-3) allowed four runs and seven hits in seven innings to improve to 5-1 in six road starts this season. A former Cubs prospect, Willis is 3-1 in six starts at Wrigley Field.

"I think we get up for a challenge and this series has turned into a rivalry since 2003 (NLCS Playoffs)," Willis said. "This park has turned into a hostile environment. We enjoy the opportunity of trying to go out there and match their intensity."

Derrek Lee got to Willis early with a solo home run in the first and an RBI ground-rule double in the third to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead.

"When you hit a home run and your team loses it's an empty feeling," Lee said. "I don't take much pride in that."

The Marlins picked Willis up with two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take the lead. Miguel Olivo drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Willis added an RBI single in the fourth.

"It helps when I can turnover the lineup and get our leadoff guys back up there," Willis said.

Jeremy Hermida gave Florida the lead with a three-run homer in the fifth off of Chicago starter Jason Marquis.

"Marquis made some good pitches on me in my first two at-bats," Hermida said. "My third time up he left one out over the plate on 3-2 and I was able to get the barrel on it."

Leading, 5-4 in the eighth, Florida gave itself some breathing room with a four-run outburst. Hanley Ramirez drove in a run with a single and Josh Willingham added a three-run double in the frame to make it 9-4.

"The bases loaded double by the Hammer (Willingham) was big," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We just pecked away that inning, it was a pretty good effort."

It looked like the Marlins would need the extra runs as the Cubs loaded the bases in the ninth. Kevin Gregg came on and ended any hopes of a comeback by striking out pinch hitter Cliff Floyd and Lee to end the game for his sixth save.

"Floyd and Lee are two of the best hitters in the game right now," Gregg said. "I'm just glad I could throw some fastballs by them." Marquis (5-2) had won his last five decisions but picked up the loss after allowing five runs and eight hits in five innings. He last lost on April 10 and failed for the fouth consecutive start to pick up his sixth win.

"I didn't locate when I needed to in key situations," Marquis said. "I was putting myself behind the eight ball all night." The Cubs have lost seven of their last nine and 13 of 19.

"This is probably the worst game we have played all year," said frustrated Cubs manager Lou Piniella.