GaryMrMets
06-26-2004, 02:13 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s062604a.htm
Phillies sink in rain
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Red Sox batter Abbott, win after weather halts play
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
BOSTON
Before the runs and then the rains poured, the Phillies and Boston Red Sox were locked in either a pitchers' duel or an offensive struggle, depending on which side you were on.
From the Sox's vantage point, Pedro Martinez was dominating, holding the Phillies to one hit through the first six innings. From the Phillies' view, Paul Abbott was getting no support after giving up only two runs in five innings in his third start for the team.
After that, things got out of hand - first for the Phillies, who were battered for 10 more runs, including eight in a frenetic sixth inning. Then, for everyone else, as a storm arrived over Fenway Park and brought an even more abrupt end to Boston's 12-1 victory than even the Red Sox offense could muster.
The game was halted with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and finally called after a 49-minute delay, which was just as well for the Phillies. "I think," manager Larry Bowa said, "the game was pretty much in hand."
Despite their second straight loss and third in four games on their current six-game road trip, the Phillies (37-34) remained just a game behind Florida for first place in the National League East.
Before the deluges, Martinez retired the first seven batters he faced before hitting Mike Lieberthal with a pitch with one out in the third. He would allow only three baserunners through the first six innings.
"He still has a good fastball and curve, and he's always had a good change," said Jim Thome, who remembered a harder-throwing Martinez from his days in the American League. "You haven't been as successful as him and not know how to pitch. He finds a way to get it done."
Meanwhile, Abbott would have escaped the first five innings unscathed as well if not for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, who drove in two of his five runs off the veteran right-hander.
"It was a Catch-22," Abbott said. "I'm happy with my 5 2/3 innings. I gave us a chance to stay in the ballgame, but the result feels like crap. It's always going to be tough when you've got Pedro. You know you've got to keep it close. I was looking forward to the challenge."
Abbott (0-2) was poised to pitch six innings, and possibly beyond, despite yielding a solo home run to David Ortiz leading off the sixth. But a walk and a hit brought Abbott's evening to an end. Hernandez entered, and the floodgates opened.
Hernandez allowed both inherited runners to score and failed to retire any of the three batters he faced. It took right-hander Brian Powell four more batters to finally record the third out, but not before eight runs had scored in the inning.
Martinez finally gave up a run when Thome led off the seventh with his major-league-leading 25th home run of the year, an opposite-field shot over the Green Monster in left field.
It was his 16th career homer at Fenway, third-most among active visiting players.
It was the only positive on which the Phillies could dwell as they trudged off the field.
Phillies sink in rain
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Red Sox batter Abbott, win after weather halts play
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
BOSTON
Before the runs and then the rains poured, the Phillies and Boston Red Sox were locked in either a pitchers' duel or an offensive struggle, depending on which side you were on.
From the Sox's vantage point, Pedro Martinez was dominating, holding the Phillies to one hit through the first six innings. From the Phillies' view, Paul Abbott was getting no support after giving up only two runs in five innings in his third start for the team.
After that, things got out of hand - first for the Phillies, who were battered for 10 more runs, including eight in a frenetic sixth inning. Then, for everyone else, as a storm arrived over Fenway Park and brought an even more abrupt end to Boston's 12-1 victory than even the Red Sox offense could muster.
The game was halted with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and finally called after a 49-minute delay, which was just as well for the Phillies. "I think," manager Larry Bowa said, "the game was pretty much in hand."
Despite their second straight loss and third in four games on their current six-game road trip, the Phillies (37-34) remained just a game behind Florida for first place in the National League East.
Before the deluges, Martinez retired the first seven batters he faced before hitting Mike Lieberthal with a pitch with one out in the third. He would allow only three baserunners through the first six innings.
"He still has a good fastball and curve, and he's always had a good change," said Jim Thome, who remembered a harder-throwing Martinez from his days in the American League. "You haven't been as successful as him and not know how to pitch. He finds a way to get it done."
Meanwhile, Abbott would have escaped the first five innings unscathed as well if not for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, who drove in two of his five runs off the veteran right-hander.
"It was a Catch-22," Abbott said. "I'm happy with my 5 2/3 innings. I gave us a chance to stay in the ballgame, but the result feels like crap. It's always going to be tough when you've got Pedro. You know you've got to keep it close. I was looking forward to the challenge."
Abbott (0-2) was poised to pitch six innings, and possibly beyond, despite yielding a solo home run to David Ortiz leading off the sixth. But a walk and a hit brought Abbott's evening to an end. Hernandez entered, and the floodgates opened.
Hernandez allowed both inherited runners to score and failed to retire any of the three batters he faced. It took right-hander Brian Powell four more batters to finally record the third out, but not before eight runs had scored in the inning.
Martinez finally gave up a run when Thome led off the seventh with his major-league-leading 25th home run of the year, an opposite-field shot over the Green Monster in left field.
It was his 16th career homer at Fenway, third-most among active visiting players.
It was the only positive on which the Phillies could dwell as they trudged off the field.