Josh Willingham, is back. Finally. For the first time since June 30th, the Hammer went deep. Willingham also went 3-4 and had a great at-bat in the top of the first inning when he battled back from a 0-2 count to later make it 3-2 by taking 3 close pitches near the black of the plate. Willingham is constantly critized for taking called 3rd strikes, and its a residue of design that is inevitable if you’re a player like Willingham who walks as much as he does. When he is on top of his game, the called 3rd strikes will be lower in quantity and it was a positive sign going forward to see Willingham’s plate discpline strengthen before our eyes. In the ninth, Paul Lo Duca and Hanley Ramirez went back to back with RBI doubles to give the Fish 2 insurance runs, that put the Marlins up 5-2, this time for good. Because the Mets lost, the Fish are now 5.0 games back. The Marlins have an off day monday before 3 in Atlanta with the Braves.
