Turnin 2 SS 2b
06-16-2002, 01:08 AM
MIAMI -- Luis Castillo's speed and A.J. Burnett's fastball were a deadly combination for the Marlins Saturday in a 3-0 shutout against the Devil Rays before a crowd of 10,904 at Pro Player Stadium.
Castillo legged out an infield single in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 30 games, the longest in the Major Leagues since Vladimir Guerrero hit in 31 straight in 1999.
Burnett (7-5) blanked the Devil Rays on three hits and set a career high with 11 strikeouts while walking three. The right-hander collected his second shutout of the season, and third of his career. His first shutout was a 3-0 no-hitter at San Diego on May 12, 2001.
Blazing a fastball clocked as high as 99 mph, Burnett fanned Brent Abernathy three times, including the final out when the Tampa Bay second baseman lost the grip of his bat on strike three. Burnett retired the final 12 batters he faced.
"That pretty much summed up the night," Abernathy said of the last out. "He threw me fastball after fastball after fastball. Needless to say, he was on his game tonight."
The Marlins and Devil Rays have split the first two games of their Interleague series with the decisive game set for Sunday. Florida goes with Michael Tejera (1-1) against Tampa Bay's Wilson Alvarez (1-2).
"We couldn't believe the readings," Marlins manager Jeff Torborg said of Burnett being clocked at 99. "He was in command. He was outstanding."
Burnett's shutout overshadowed a quality pitching performance by Tampa Bay's Paul Wilson (2-6), who yielded three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven.
"We were kept in check by a great pitcher," Devil Rays manager Hal McRae said. "Paul pitched well, but [Burnett] threw better."
Castillo's infield single in the sixth not only extended his hit streak to 30 games, it jumpstarted a two-run Marlins rally. Leading off the inning, Castillo chopped a slow grounder over Wilson's head up the middle. Shortstop Chris Gomez charged, but his hurried throw was too late to nab the speedy Marlins second baseman.
Florida then produced a pair of runs when Andy Fox doubled, placing runners on second and third, and Mike Lowell slapped a sharp two-run single to left.
"Things got away from me a little bit in the seventh," Wilson said. "Overall, I thought I pitched well. I just wasn't able to finish."
Castillo's 30-game streak is the second longest ever by a Major League second baseman. Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby hit in 33 straight for the Cardinals in 1922.
The Marlins second baseman began his streak on May 8 and has batted .390 (53-for-136) during that span.
"Hitting in 30 straight -- that's like a month of hitting," Castillo said. "What I'm feeling in my mind right now is I can get a hit every time."
Florida tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Mike Redmond hit a double that scored Preston Wilson, who had singled.
The Devil Rays threatened early, stranding runners on third base in the second, third and fifth innings, but each time Burnett escaped without surrendering a run.
Tampa Bay's prime All-Star candidate, Randy Winn, doubled and tripled off Burnett but was twice left stranded at third.
In the third inning, the Devil Rays loaded the bases with two outs, but Burnett struck out Ben Grieve to end the threat. Winn has now hit safely in 10 straight since moving into the leadoff spot.
In the fifth, Winn swatted his third triple of the season, a scorched shot into left-center. Again, Burnett worked out of it, getting Greg Vaughn and Steve Cox on infield popouts.
Castillo legged out an infield single in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 30 games, the longest in the Major Leagues since Vladimir Guerrero hit in 31 straight in 1999.
Burnett (7-5) blanked the Devil Rays on three hits and set a career high with 11 strikeouts while walking three. The right-hander collected his second shutout of the season, and third of his career. His first shutout was a 3-0 no-hitter at San Diego on May 12, 2001.
Blazing a fastball clocked as high as 99 mph, Burnett fanned Brent Abernathy three times, including the final out when the Tampa Bay second baseman lost the grip of his bat on strike three. Burnett retired the final 12 batters he faced.
"That pretty much summed up the night," Abernathy said of the last out. "He threw me fastball after fastball after fastball. Needless to say, he was on his game tonight."
The Marlins and Devil Rays have split the first two games of their Interleague series with the decisive game set for Sunday. Florida goes with Michael Tejera (1-1) against Tampa Bay's Wilson Alvarez (1-2).
"We couldn't believe the readings," Marlins manager Jeff Torborg said of Burnett being clocked at 99. "He was in command. He was outstanding."
Burnett's shutout overshadowed a quality pitching performance by Tampa Bay's Paul Wilson (2-6), who yielded three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven.
"We were kept in check by a great pitcher," Devil Rays manager Hal McRae said. "Paul pitched well, but [Burnett] threw better."
Castillo's infield single in the sixth not only extended his hit streak to 30 games, it jumpstarted a two-run Marlins rally. Leading off the inning, Castillo chopped a slow grounder over Wilson's head up the middle. Shortstop Chris Gomez charged, but his hurried throw was too late to nab the speedy Marlins second baseman.
Florida then produced a pair of runs when Andy Fox doubled, placing runners on second and third, and Mike Lowell slapped a sharp two-run single to left.
"Things got away from me a little bit in the seventh," Wilson said. "Overall, I thought I pitched well. I just wasn't able to finish."
Castillo's 30-game streak is the second longest ever by a Major League second baseman. Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby hit in 33 straight for the Cardinals in 1922.
The Marlins second baseman began his streak on May 8 and has batted .390 (53-for-136) during that span.
"Hitting in 30 straight -- that's like a month of hitting," Castillo said. "What I'm feeling in my mind right now is I can get a hit every time."
Florida tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Mike Redmond hit a double that scored Preston Wilson, who had singled.
The Devil Rays threatened early, stranding runners on third base in the second, third and fifth innings, but each time Burnett escaped without surrendering a run.
Tampa Bay's prime All-Star candidate, Randy Winn, doubled and tripled off Burnett but was twice left stranded at third.
In the third inning, the Devil Rays loaded the bases with two outs, but Burnett struck out Ben Grieve to end the threat. Winn has now hit safely in 10 straight since moving into the leadoff spot.
In the fifth, Winn swatted his third triple of the season, a scorched shot into left-center. Again, Burnett worked out of it, getting Greg Vaughn and Steve Cox on infield popouts.