Baseball Guru
08-18-2003, 07:39 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-phillies-toughstretch&prov=ap&type=lgns
By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
August 18, 2003
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies needed to enjoy their day off Monday. It's the last one they'll get for almost a month.
The NL wild card-leading Phillies are entering a difficult stretch in which they'll play 27 games in 27 days. They open a 13-game road trip -- their longest of the season -- in Milwaukee on Tuesday night followed by three games in St. Louis, four in Montreal and three in New York against the Mets.
The Phillies were scheduled to have an off day on Sept. 1 when they returned from this trip, but they'll play a makeup game against the Boston Red Sox from a rainout on June 20. Their next scheduled off day is Sept. 15.
Philadelphia has won its last five games, including an impressive three-game sweep of the Cardinals that concluded a 5-1 homestand. But, the Phillies have lost eight of their last 10 on the road and are 30-28 overall away from home.
``It's exciting that we're in a pennant race instead of counting the days until the season is over,'' catcher Mike Lieberthal said.
Philadelphia holds a half-game lead over Florida in the wild card race. Six-other teams are within 5 1/2 games. One of those teams -- Houston, Chicago or St. Louis -- will win the NL Central.
The Phillies, who have had losing records in 14 of the last 16 seasons, were in a pennant race two years ago. They battled the Atlanta Braves for the NL East title until the final week, finishing two games behind.
But this is a much better team with more experience and more suited for a stretch drive. Pitching has been Philadelphia's strength throughout the season and the hitters have come around in recent weeks.
Jim Thome has five homers during the five-game winning streak, including three clutch homers against the Cardinals that earned him three curtain calls from fans who came to boo Scott Rolen.
Bobby Abreu is hitting .579 (11-for-19) over the last five games. Placido Polanco is batting .368 (7-for-19) during that stretch and even Pat Burrell is showing signs that he's coming out of his season-long slump. Burrell is 9-for-30 (.300) in his last eight games, including a two-run homer against St. Louis on Sunday night.
``The big guys we've been counting on came up with the big hits,'' Phillies manager Larry Bowa said.
The starting rotation got a lift Sunday night from Amaury Telemaco, who pitched seven solid innings in his first start since replacing Brandon Duckworth as the fifth starter.
Kevin Millwood (12-8, 3.80 ERA), Randy Wolf (12-7, 3.46), Vicente Padilla (11-8, 3.85) and Brett Myers (12-7, 3.86) have pitched well all season, putting the Phillies in position to lead the wild-card race.
The bullpen is the top concern heading into the final 39 games. While setup men Dan Plesac (1.35 ERA), Rheal Cormier (1.43), Turk Wendell (2.26) and Terry Adams (2.29) are having outstanding seasons, closer Jose Mesa has struggled.
Mesa (5-6, 6.06) has converted 22 of 25 save opportunities, but couldn't finish the Cardinals on Sunday night, one day after he regained his closer's role. Mike Williams got the final out for his second save in four games, but Bowa said Mesa would still be the team's closer until further notice.
By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
August 18, 2003
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies needed to enjoy their day off Monday. It's the last one they'll get for almost a month.
The NL wild card-leading Phillies are entering a difficult stretch in which they'll play 27 games in 27 days. They open a 13-game road trip -- their longest of the season -- in Milwaukee on Tuesday night followed by three games in St. Louis, four in Montreal and three in New York against the Mets.
The Phillies were scheduled to have an off day on Sept. 1 when they returned from this trip, but they'll play a makeup game against the Boston Red Sox from a rainout on June 20. Their next scheduled off day is Sept. 15.
Philadelphia has won its last five games, including an impressive three-game sweep of the Cardinals that concluded a 5-1 homestand. But, the Phillies have lost eight of their last 10 on the road and are 30-28 overall away from home.
``It's exciting that we're in a pennant race instead of counting the days until the season is over,'' catcher Mike Lieberthal said.
Philadelphia holds a half-game lead over Florida in the wild card race. Six-other teams are within 5 1/2 games. One of those teams -- Houston, Chicago or St. Louis -- will win the NL Central.
The Phillies, who have had losing records in 14 of the last 16 seasons, were in a pennant race two years ago. They battled the Atlanta Braves for the NL East title until the final week, finishing two games behind.
But this is a much better team with more experience and more suited for a stretch drive. Pitching has been Philadelphia's strength throughout the season and the hitters have come around in recent weeks.
Jim Thome has five homers during the five-game winning streak, including three clutch homers against the Cardinals that earned him three curtain calls from fans who came to boo Scott Rolen.
Bobby Abreu is hitting .579 (11-for-19) over the last five games. Placido Polanco is batting .368 (7-for-19) during that stretch and even Pat Burrell is showing signs that he's coming out of his season-long slump. Burrell is 9-for-30 (.300) in his last eight games, including a two-run homer against St. Louis on Sunday night.
``The big guys we've been counting on came up with the big hits,'' Phillies manager Larry Bowa said.
The starting rotation got a lift Sunday night from Amaury Telemaco, who pitched seven solid innings in his first start since replacing Brandon Duckworth as the fifth starter.
Kevin Millwood (12-8, 3.80 ERA), Randy Wolf (12-7, 3.46), Vicente Padilla (11-8, 3.85) and Brett Myers (12-7, 3.86) have pitched well all season, putting the Phillies in position to lead the wild-card race.
The bullpen is the top concern heading into the final 39 games. While setup men Dan Plesac (1.35 ERA), Rheal Cormier (1.43), Turk Wendell (2.26) and Terry Adams (2.29) are having outstanding seasons, closer Jose Mesa has struggled.
Mesa (5-6, 6.06) has converted 22 of 25 save opportunities, but couldn't finish the Cardinals on Sunday night, one day after he regained his closer's role. Mike Williams got the final out for his second save in four games, but Bowa said Mesa would still be the team's closer until further notice.