GaryMrMets
06-01-2004, 03:07 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s053104a.htm
Lefty's solid start leads Phils to win over the Braves
Monday, May 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
After putting together his best start of the season Sunday, Eric Milton only hopes to get better. That would be beneficial not only to him, but the entire Phillies pitching staff.
Milton's seven-inning effort in the Phillies' 4-1 victory over Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park rested a pitching staff dealing with a recent spate of injuries and provided the team with what it believes is a sign of better things to come.
"He looks similar to when I faced him all those years," said first baseman Jim Thome, a former rival of Milton when he pitched for Minnesota and Thome played for Cleveland.
"He's kept us in some close games - big games - all year. It's only when you face him that you realize how good he is."
This year, though, it's been difficult to get a true gauge on Milton. He pitched in only three regular-season games last year after a spring knee injury sidelined him for six months. He added to his Phillies-leading win total Sunday, improving to 6-1, but he had yet to pitch more than six innings until his latest outing.
"I'm getting there," Milton said. "In past years I've been stronger in the second half. I know my arm strength can get better. I think I'm pitching well right now, but I can still improve."
Milton believes that as the season progresses he can add another 1-2 mph on his fastball, which typically registers in the low 90s. But on Sunday, he kept the Braves off-balance by using all of his pitches, striking out eight and retiring the first 10 batters he faced.
His outing was a much-needed one for the Phillies - the bullpen was needed for four innings in each of the last two games.
"It was important we got to seven innings today, and he did a great job," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "We have to have our starters go a little farther to help the guys down there (in the bullpen)."
The Phillies (27-21) jumped to a 1-0 lead on David Bell's second-inning home run, but after Milton allowed an RBI triple to Andruw Jones in the fourth, the next few innings developed into a pitchers' duel between Milton and right-hander Travis Smith.
Smith limited the Phillies to two hits through five innings before a Bell hit and two walks loaded the bases for Chase Utley, who let a 1-2 pitch from Smith hit him to force in the go-ahead run.
"When the ball's close enough to hit you, you've got to take it," Utley said. "You don't think about it. It just happens."
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/images/s053104a.jpg
The Phillies got a big effort from starting pitcher Eric Milton in Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Lefty's solid start leads Phils to win over the Braves
Monday, May 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
After putting together his best start of the season Sunday, Eric Milton only hopes to get better. That would be beneficial not only to him, but the entire Phillies pitching staff.
Milton's seven-inning effort in the Phillies' 4-1 victory over Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park rested a pitching staff dealing with a recent spate of injuries and provided the team with what it believes is a sign of better things to come.
"He looks similar to when I faced him all those years," said first baseman Jim Thome, a former rival of Milton when he pitched for Minnesota and Thome played for Cleveland.
"He's kept us in some close games - big games - all year. It's only when you face him that you realize how good he is."
This year, though, it's been difficult to get a true gauge on Milton. He pitched in only three regular-season games last year after a spring knee injury sidelined him for six months. He added to his Phillies-leading win total Sunday, improving to 6-1, but he had yet to pitch more than six innings until his latest outing.
"I'm getting there," Milton said. "In past years I've been stronger in the second half. I know my arm strength can get better. I think I'm pitching well right now, but I can still improve."
Milton believes that as the season progresses he can add another 1-2 mph on his fastball, which typically registers in the low 90s. But on Sunday, he kept the Braves off-balance by using all of his pitches, striking out eight and retiring the first 10 batters he faced.
His outing was a much-needed one for the Phillies - the bullpen was needed for four innings in each of the last two games.
"It was important we got to seven innings today, and he did a great job," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "We have to have our starters go a little farther to help the guys down there (in the bullpen)."
The Phillies (27-21) jumped to a 1-0 lead on David Bell's second-inning home run, but after Milton allowed an RBI triple to Andruw Jones in the fourth, the next few innings developed into a pitchers' duel between Milton and right-hander Travis Smith.
Smith limited the Phillies to two hits through five innings before a Bell hit and two walks loaded the bases for Chase Utley, who let a 1-2 pitch from Smith hit him to force in the go-ahead run.
"When the ball's close enough to hit you, you've got to take it," Utley said. "You don't think about it. It just happens."
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/images/s053104a.jpg
The Phillies got a big effort from starting pitcher Eric Milton in Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Braves.