GaryMrMets
06-06-2004, 01:28 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/8845389.htm
Posted on Sat, Jun. 05, 2004
Offense, pitching nice painkillers
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
ATLANTA - The Lame vs. the Halt series continues.
The Lame - the preseason-favored Phillies, minus David Bell (hip), Placido Polanco (thigh), Billy Wagner (groin) and, the day before, starter Vicente Padilla (biceps) - found themselves in a better-than-expected situation.
That's because the Halt - the Braves, 12 straight division winners, minus Chipper Jones (hamstring), Marcus Giles (clavicle), Adam LaRoche (shoulder) and Horacio Ramirez (shoulder tendinitis), who would have started last night - also did not play RBI machine Johnny Estrada and rightfielder J.D. Drew.
The Lame won, 9-1, breaking a four-game skid and evening the four-game series at 1-1. They enjoyed a breakout, six-run eighth inning - more runs than the Phillies scored in any game during their recent 3-7 slide.
It was made possible by patience, generosity and starter Eric Milton's coldblooded seven innings, the last six of the shutout variety.
"Obviously, they had players out of the lineup. Big players. Their top three hitters," said Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal, who seems to be emerging from a seasonlong slump after two hits Thursday and a homer and double last night.
Lieberthal's homer came in the seventh to make it a 3-1 advantage for Milton, who never trailed. Bobby Abreu drove in Jimmy Rollins with his 12th homer to give Milton a 2-0 cushion in the first.
Nick Green, Giles' stand-in at second base, scored the Braves' run in the first to cut it to 2-1. Eddie Perez got the RBI single, the last hit Milton allowed for 11 batters, until Jesse Garcia led off the fifth with a single. He was stranded, as was Perez, who doubled in the sixth.
"I'm feeling stronger and stronger," said Milton (7-1) who missed most of last season, with the Twins, with a knee injury.
And, finally, there was a hint of offensive strength, too.
Braves starter Travis Smith (0-2) left for a pinch-hitter in the seventh, trailing, 3-1, which might have been enough.
Relievers Kevin Gryboski and Juan Cruz afforded a larger cushion for the Phils.
After Tomas Perez managed an infield single to start the eighth, Gryboski walked Abreu on five pitches and Jim Thome on four - key at-bats during the rally.
"It's important late in the game - get on base, make the reliever show you pitches," Abreu said.
Said Thome: "I've got 3-0 and Gryboski really sinks the ball. I didn't want to be overly aggressive."
Smart.
Pat Burrell drove in Perez and Abreu on a tough chopper that was scored an error on Garcia at third base, and Lieberthal soon followed with an RBI double.
Cruz entered, walked Marlon Byrd, got an out but surrendered a three-run double to Rollins.
All the scoring in that long inning kept Milton from pitching anymore, but he'd done his job.
And, hey, nobody else got hurt.
Posted on Sat, Jun. 05, 2004
Offense, pitching nice painkillers
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
ATLANTA - The Lame vs. the Halt series continues.
The Lame - the preseason-favored Phillies, minus David Bell (hip), Placido Polanco (thigh), Billy Wagner (groin) and, the day before, starter Vicente Padilla (biceps) - found themselves in a better-than-expected situation.
That's because the Halt - the Braves, 12 straight division winners, minus Chipper Jones (hamstring), Marcus Giles (clavicle), Adam LaRoche (shoulder) and Horacio Ramirez (shoulder tendinitis), who would have started last night - also did not play RBI machine Johnny Estrada and rightfielder J.D. Drew.
The Lame won, 9-1, breaking a four-game skid and evening the four-game series at 1-1. They enjoyed a breakout, six-run eighth inning - more runs than the Phillies scored in any game during their recent 3-7 slide.
It was made possible by patience, generosity and starter Eric Milton's coldblooded seven innings, the last six of the shutout variety.
"Obviously, they had players out of the lineup. Big players. Their top three hitters," said Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal, who seems to be emerging from a seasonlong slump after two hits Thursday and a homer and double last night.
Lieberthal's homer came in the seventh to make it a 3-1 advantage for Milton, who never trailed. Bobby Abreu drove in Jimmy Rollins with his 12th homer to give Milton a 2-0 cushion in the first.
Nick Green, Giles' stand-in at second base, scored the Braves' run in the first to cut it to 2-1. Eddie Perez got the RBI single, the last hit Milton allowed for 11 batters, until Jesse Garcia led off the fifth with a single. He was stranded, as was Perez, who doubled in the sixth.
"I'm feeling stronger and stronger," said Milton (7-1) who missed most of last season, with the Twins, with a knee injury.
And, finally, there was a hint of offensive strength, too.
Braves starter Travis Smith (0-2) left for a pinch-hitter in the seventh, trailing, 3-1, which might have been enough.
Relievers Kevin Gryboski and Juan Cruz afforded a larger cushion for the Phils.
After Tomas Perez managed an infield single to start the eighth, Gryboski walked Abreu on five pitches and Jim Thome on four - key at-bats during the rally.
"It's important late in the game - get on base, make the reliever show you pitches," Abreu said.
Said Thome: "I've got 3-0 and Gryboski really sinks the ball. I didn't want to be overly aggressive."
Smart.
Pat Burrell drove in Perez and Abreu on a tough chopper that was scored an error on Garcia at third base, and Lieberthal soon followed with an RBI double.
Cruz entered, walked Marlon Byrd, got an out but surrendered a three-run double to Rollins.
All the scoring in that long inning kept Milton from pitching anymore, but he'd done his job.
And, hey, nobody else got hurt.