GaryMrMets
06-06-2004, 01:22 AM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s060404b.htm
Braves put Phillies away early this time
Friday, June 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
ATLANTA
Josh Hancock was 3 years old when Julio Franco first broke into the majors with the Phillies 22 years ago. Now, as Hancock kicks off his own fledgling career with the Phillies, he would be best served not letting Franco's longevity get to him.
The 45-year-old Franco made major-league history at Hancock's expense Thursday, becoming the oldest player ever to hit a grand slam with his first-inning shot in the Phillies 8-4 loss to Atlanta at Turner Field. The first baseman's blast helped chase Hancock after just two innings, and with some 25 family members and friends having traveled from the region around Hancock's hometown of Tupelo, Miss., to watch the game, it was one Hancock would like to erase from his memory.
"It was just a bad start," Hancock said. "I didn't have my fastball. Nothing worked. All I can do is forget about this one and move on."
The Phillies (27-25) dropped their fourth straight game and seventh in their last 10 games, as most of the problems that have plagued them over the last two weeks continued. They didn't manage a hit until Jim Thome's solo home run in the fourth, and with Hancock's abbreviated outing, the Phillies dipped into a fatigued bullpen, with 21-year-old rookie Elizardo Ramirez working four innings.
As long as pitchers are out, you're going to have problems, Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. There's nothing you can do. You just ride it out until they come back.
Hancock, making a spot start with Vicente Padilla on the 15-day disabled list, allowed six runs overall and did nothing to ensure he would take the mound the next time Padilla's spot in the rotation came up. He can thank Franco, a right-handed hitter known throughout his career for his astounding opposite-field power, for that.
At 45, Franco broke the record set by 43-year-old Carlton Fisk in 1991. Thome, who played with Franco in Cleveland during the 1996 and 97 seasons, remembers one particular shot Franco hit to right field at Seattles Kingdome in 1996.
"It was like a lefty hit it," Thome said.
Though Thome wasn't surprised with Franco, he felt for Hancock.
That's part of the learning process,;; Thome said. "The experience he'll get from this is great. Josh is going to be a heck of a pitcher in this league."
There was at least a little consolation for the Phillies as their offense broke through for three runs on five hits in the eighth. Catcher Mike Lieberthal (four for his last 36) and center fielder Marlon Byrd (0-for-20) both broke slumps and maybe they can take that from this game.
"You can count me in that mix too," said Thome, 4-for-23 entering the game. "It's nice to see everyone get going. We need to do that early in games now."
Braves put Phillies away early this time
Friday, June 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
ATLANTA
Josh Hancock was 3 years old when Julio Franco first broke into the majors with the Phillies 22 years ago. Now, as Hancock kicks off his own fledgling career with the Phillies, he would be best served not letting Franco's longevity get to him.
The 45-year-old Franco made major-league history at Hancock's expense Thursday, becoming the oldest player ever to hit a grand slam with his first-inning shot in the Phillies 8-4 loss to Atlanta at Turner Field. The first baseman's blast helped chase Hancock after just two innings, and with some 25 family members and friends having traveled from the region around Hancock's hometown of Tupelo, Miss., to watch the game, it was one Hancock would like to erase from his memory.
"It was just a bad start," Hancock said. "I didn't have my fastball. Nothing worked. All I can do is forget about this one and move on."
The Phillies (27-25) dropped their fourth straight game and seventh in their last 10 games, as most of the problems that have plagued them over the last two weeks continued. They didn't manage a hit until Jim Thome's solo home run in the fourth, and with Hancock's abbreviated outing, the Phillies dipped into a fatigued bullpen, with 21-year-old rookie Elizardo Ramirez working four innings.
As long as pitchers are out, you're going to have problems, Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. There's nothing you can do. You just ride it out until they come back.
Hancock, making a spot start with Vicente Padilla on the 15-day disabled list, allowed six runs overall and did nothing to ensure he would take the mound the next time Padilla's spot in the rotation came up. He can thank Franco, a right-handed hitter known throughout his career for his astounding opposite-field power, for that.
At 45, Franco broke the record set by 43-year-old Carlton Fisk in 1991. Thome, who played with Franco in Cleveland during the 1996 and 97 seasons, remembers one particular shot Franco hit to right field at Seattles Kingdome in 1996.
"It was like a lefty hit it," Thome said.
Though Thome wasn't surprised with Franco, he felt for Hancock.
That's part of the learning process,;; Thome said. "The experience he'll get from this is great. Josh is going to be a heck of a pitcher in this league."
There was at least a little consolation for the Phillies as their offense broke through for three runs on five hits in the eighth. Catcher Mike Lieberthal (four for his last 36) and center fielder Marlon Byrd (0-for-20) both broke slumps and maybe they can take that from this game.
"You can count me in that mix too," said Thome, 4-for-23 entering the game. "It's nice to see everyone get going. We need to do that early in games now."