A quick fist tap over his heart and Dontrelle Willis disappeared into the Marlins’ dugout Friday night.
Two outs later he re-emerged to another stanza of Dolphins Stadium cheers.
The 25,916 fans were recognizing the winningest single season by a pitcher in franchise history.
Willis went 8 1/3 innings to log his Marlins-record 19th victory in a 4-2 win over the New York Mets.
In addition to surpassing the mark Carl Pavano established last season, Willis helped keep his team 1 1/2 games off Philadelphia’s wild card-leading pace.
“I never thought I’d be in a situation like this,” said Willis, who lowered his career ERA against the Mets to 1.93 after beating them for the seventh time in 10 starts. “I’m just rolling. I’m not thinking about it too much.”
Six of the seven hits Willis allowed during the 111-pitch effort were singles, two of which didn’t leave the infield.
After surrendering an unearned run in the ninth, Willis gave way to closer Todd Jones. Vying for his 19th save in his last 19 games, Jones retired two of the three batters he faced, all of which represented either the tying or go-ahead run.
