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07-31-2002, 09:37 AM
MIAMI -- Addressing the media before Tuesday's game, Marlins manager Jeff Torborg lamented about how his club struggles hitting with the bases loaded.
As fate would have it, Florida filled the bases in the first two innings and yet couldn't generate any runs.
"It happened again," Torborg said. "I didn't realize I was going to be so prophetic."
More offensive miseries surfaced for the Marlins in their 5-0 loss at the hands of the Cardinals in front of 8,187 at Pro Player Stadium.
Andy Benes (1-3) posted his first win since Aug. 13, 2001. The right-hander, who spent time on the DL with an arthritic right knee, combined on a four-hit shutout with Mike Crudale and Matt Duff, who punctuated his Major League debut by striking out two in the ninth.
"It was one of those games where we couldn't get that big hit," said Marlins left fielder Kevin Millar. "We had the bases loaded twice."
With two outs in the first, Benes got Millar on a check-swing strike out.
An inning later, the Marlins filled the bases with no outs. But Benes got Luis Castillo to fly out to short left. Eric Owens then lined back to the pitcher, who doubled up Marlins left-hander Michael Tejera at first for the double play.
"It was almost like the air came out of the balloon," Torborg said of the missed chances early.
For the season, Florida is now 17-for-100 (.170) with the bases loaded.
"You've got to get something," Millar said. "We didn't swing the bats well. It was one of those nights."
Actually, Florida's struggles aren't just with the bases full. Just getting hits, not to mention runs, lately is a chore. In July, the Marlins post a .251 team average with 16 homers and 84 RBIs, all monthly lows for the season.
Benes, who had not won a start since last June 13th against the White Sox, gave up all four Marlins hits. Crudale (1 2/3 innings) and Duff combined to retire eight straight to close out the game.
After withstanding Florida's early threats, Benes had a stretch where he retired 12 in a row. The Marlins only had two bases runners from the third inning on.
"Give credit to Benes," Millar said. "He's like a poor man's Greg Maddux. He just nibbles the plate. He's a veteran who doesn't give in. He mixed in the breaking ball."
Failing to get a clutch hit early had Millar wondering, "what if?"
"If we get that one (bases loaded) hit, it changes the game," Millar said.
Instead, a lack of offense wasted a solid pitching performance by Tejera.
The left-hander scattered eight hits in seven innings and gave up three solo home runs. Tino Martinez and Edgar Renteria, 16-for-33 (.485) during an eight-game hitting streak, went back-to-back in the fifth.
Renteria delivered another solo blast in the seventh, making it 3-0.
"The kid was pitching very well, but it just doesn't look good when you're not doing anything offensively," Torborg said. "We had opportunities to bust that game open and we didn't do it."
Tejera (6-4) has now lost three of his last four decisions. Vic Darensbourg gave up two runs in the eighth, allowing triples to Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. Martinez added an RBI double.
"I still pitched seven innings and I gave my team a chance to be in the ballgame," the 25-year-old Tejera said. "I gave up three solid shots for homers. We're now in a slump as a team."
Tuesday's setback follows being two-hit by Bartolo Colon of the Expos on Sunday. And on July 24, Atlanta's Damian Moss combined on the first one-hitter ever against Florida.
"We can change the lineup a little bit," Torborg said. "We can change the personnel. Ah... we just have to keep digging."
With the trade deadline Wednesday, there is the possibility the Marlins could make a deal.
But general manager Larry Beinfest said Tuesday night that nothing is imminent.
"I would not be surprised if nothing happens," Beinfest said.
The GM admitted a number of teams have called, but the Marlins are holding firm on the asking price -- not wanting to give up key players for less than what they are worth.
"If something makes sense, we will do it," Beinfest said. "We have a lot of good young players."
As fate would have it, Florida filled the bases in the first two innings and yet couldn't generate any runs.
"It happened again," Torborg said. "I didn't realize I was going to be so prophetic."
More offensive miseries surfaced for the Marlins in their 5-0 loss at the hands of the Cardinals in front of 8,187 at Pro Player Stadium.
Andy Benes (1-3) posted his first win since Aug. 13, 2001. The right-hander, who spent time on the DL with an arthritic right knee, combined on a four-hit shutout with Mike Crudale and Matt Duff, who punctuated his Major League debut by striking out two in the ninth.
"It was one of those games where we couldn't get that big hit," said Marlins left fielder Kevin Millar. "We had the bases loaded twice."
With two outs in the first, Benes got Millar on a check-swing strike out.
An inning later, the Marlins filled the bases with no outs. But Benes got Luis Castillo to fly out to short left. Eric Owens then lined back to the pitcher, who doubled up Marlins left-hander Michael Tejera at first for the double play.
"It was almost like the air came out of the balloon," Torborg said of the missed chances early.
For the season, Florida is now 17-for-100 (.170) with the bases loaded.
"You've got to get something," Millar said. "We didn't swing the bats well. It was one of those nights."
Actually, Florida's struggles aren't just with the bases full. Just getting hits, not to mention runs, lately is a chore. In July, the Marlins post a .251 team average with 16 homers and 84 RBIs, all monthly lows for the season.
Benes, who had not won a start since last June 13th against the White Sox, gave up all four Marlins hits. Crudale (1 2/3 innings) and Duff combined to retire eight straight to close out the game.
After withstanding Florida's early threats, Benes had a stretch where he retired 12 in a row. The Marlins only had two bases runners from the third inning on.
"Give credit to Benes," Millar said. "He's like a poor man's Greg Maddux. He just nibbles the plate. He's a veteran who doesn't give in. He mixed in the breaking ball."
Failing to get a clutch hit early had Millar wondering, "what if?"
"If we get that one (bases loaded) hit, it changes the game," Millar said.
Instead, a lack of offense wasted a solid pitching performance by Tejera.
The left-hander scattered eight hits in seven innings and gave up three solo home runs. Tino Martinez and Edgar Renteria, 16-for-33 (.485) during an eight-game hitting streak, went back-to-back in the fifth.
Renteria delivered another solo blast in the seventh, making it 3-0.
"The kid was pitching very well, but it just doesn't look good when you're not doing anything offensively," Torborg said. "We had opportunities to bust that game open and we didn't do it."
Tejera (6-4) has now lost three of his last four decisions. Vic Darensbourg gave up two runs in the eighth, allowing triples to Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. Martinez added an RBI double.
"I still pitched seven innings and I gave my team a chance to be in the ballgame," the 25-year-old Tejera said. "I gave up three solid shots for homers. We're now in a slump as a team."
Tuesday's setback follows being two-hit by Bartolo Colon of the Expos on Sunday. And on July 24, Atlanta's Damian Moss combined on the first one-hitter ever against Florida.
"We can change the lineup a little bit," Torborg said. "We can change the personnel. Ah... we just have to keep digging."
With the trade deadline Wednesday, there is the possibility the Marlins could make a deal.
But general manager Larry Beinfest said Tuesday night that nothing is imminent.
"I would not be surprised if nothing happens," Beinfest said.
The GM admitted a number of teams have called, but the Marlins are holding firm on the asking price -- not wanting to give up key players for less than what they are worth.
"If something makes sense, we will do it," Beinfest said. "We have a lot of good young players."