GaryMrMets
06-30-2004, 03:09 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9044390.htm
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phils mash Expos
Set team record for home runs in a month
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The neon Liberty Bell in right-center field at Citizens Bank Park almost resembles the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Blink.
Blink.
Blink.
The bell rings and blinks each time the Phillies hit a home run, and it's blinked plenty this season. The Phillies hit four home runs last night in a 17-7 victory over the lowly Montreal Expos to set a franchise record with 43 home runs in a month.
"We're not done, either," leftfielder Pat Burrell said.
The Phillies' previous mark of 42 home runs was set in June 1977.
Placido Polanco hit a leadoff homer in the third; Bobby Abreu crushed a three-run homer over Section 101 in right-center and into the bullpen in the fifth; David Bell hit a two-run shot to left to tie the record in the eighth; and Tomas Perez hit a pinch-hit, two-run blast to left in the eighth to break the record.
"We know we've got a small park," Perez said with a smile. "But we've got good hitters, too."
Did Perez find it odd that he broke the Phillies' home-run record?
Most would have expected Jim Thome or Burrell or Abreu to break it.
Perez shrugged.
He has muscles, too.
"A little bit for a little guy," Perez joked.
The Phillies, who lost two of three to the last-place Expos last week in Montreal, have opened their 14-game homestand before the all-star break with a pair of victories against Montreal.
They will try to make it three straight tonight, which would be their longest winning streak since late May, when they won four consecutive games against Los Angeles and San Diego. The Phillies held their percentage-point lead over the Florida Marlins for first place in the National League East.
The Phillies bailed out starter Eric Milton, who allowed seven hits, seven runs, and four walks with one strikeout in five innings. The Expos scored four off Milton (10-2) in the fifth to cut his team's lead to 8-7 before the Phillies scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth for a six-run lead.
Abreu highlighted the fifth inning with his three-run homer, his 16th. Most of the attention has been on Thome, who leads the majors with 26 home runs. But Abreu is having one of his best seasons. Entering last night, he ranked sixth in the NL in runs (59) and third in walks (59). Among NL outfielders, he ranked first in runs, third in walks, tied for fifth in doubles (19), 10th in homers (15), and tied for sixth in RBIs (47).
"Our offense has been unbelievable the last two nights, but I know we can't continue to count on that," manager Larry Bowa said. "But it's nice to see that many runs. It's nice to pick up our starters, who've sort of hit a bump on the road. We have to start doing things together. We're not doing it together. We get good pitching and no hitting, or good hitting and no pitching."
Burrell left the game after the fourth inning with a mild right-groin strain. He tweaked the groin as he rounded first base in the second inning, when he hit a one-out double. He said afterward that he doesn't think it's serious.
The Phillies received some encouraging news before the game, which obviously helped their offense score a season-high 17 runs. Expos pitcher Tony Armas Jr., who threw six shutout innings in a victory over the them last week in Montreal, could not pitch because of shoulder stiffness.
The Expos started rookie Shawn Hill instead.
Hill hadn't pitched since June 17 - in double-A Harrisburg against Altoona.
Hill, who made his big-league debut, is one of the Expos' top prospects, and they called him to the big leagues last week because they needed a pitcher in the bullpen who could throw more than an inning, if needed.
He lasted just three innings against the Phillies, who had an 8-3 lead after three.
It continued from there with the long ball.
Bowa said afterward that a record 43 homers in a month won't stand.
"It will be shattered every year probably," he said. "The hot weather hasn't even come yet."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9042/81762844604.jpg
Look, ma, no hands! Placido Polanco (left) and Tomas Perez eschew the traditional high five after Polanco hit a solo homer in the third inning against Montreal.
Posted on Wed, Jun. 30, 2004
Phils mash Expos
Set team record for home runs in a month
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The neon Liberty Bell in right-center field at Citizens Bank Park almost resembles the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Blink.
Blink.
Blink.
The bell rings and blinks each time the Phillies hit a home run, and it's blinked plenty this season. The Phillies hit four home runs last night in a 17-7 victory over the lowly Montreal Expos to set a franchise record with 43 home runs in a month.
"We're not done, either," leftfielder Pat Burrell said.
The Phillies' previous mark of 42 home runs was set in June 1977.
Placido Polanco hit a leadoff homer in the third; Bobby Abreu crushed a three-run homer over Section 101 in right-center and into the bullpen in the fifth; David Bell hit a two-run shot to left to tie the record in the eighth; and Tomas Perez hit a pinch-hit, two-run blast to left in the eighth to break the record.
"We know we've got a small park," Perez said with a smile. "But we've got good hitters, too."
Did Perez find it odd that he broke the Phillies' home-run record?
Most would have expected Jim Thome or Burrell or Abreu to break it.
Perez shrugged.
He has muscles, too.
"A little bit for a little guy," Perez joked.
The Phillies, who lost two of three to the last-place Expos last week in Montreal, have opened their 14-game homestand before the all-star break with a pair of victories against Montreal.
They will try to make it three straight tonight, which would be their longest winning streak since late May, when they won four consecutive games against Los Angeles and San Diego. The Phillies held their percentage-point lead over the Florida Marlins for first place in the National League East.
The Phillies bailed out starter Eric Milton, who allowed seven hits, seven runs, and four walks with one strikeout in five innings. The Expos scored four off Milton (10-2) in the fifth to cut his team's lead to 8-7 before the Phillies scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth for a six-run lead.
Abreu highlighted the fifth inning with his three-run homer, his 16th. Most of the attention has been on Thome, who leads the majors with 26 home runs. But Abreu is having one of his best seasons. Entering last night, he ranked sixth in the NL in runs (59) and third in walks (59). Among NL outfielders, he ranked first in runs, third in walks, tied for fifth in doubles (19), 10th in homers (15), and tied for sixth in RBIs (47).
"Our offense has been unbelievable the last two nights, but I know we can't continue to count on that," manager Larry Bowa said. "But it's nice to see that many runs. It's nice to pick up our starters, who've sort of hit a bump on the road. We have to start doing things together. We're not doing it together. We get good pitching and no hitting, or good hitting and no pitching."
Burrell left the game after the fourth inning with a mild right-groin strain. He tweaked the groin as he rounded first base in the second inning, when he hit a one-out double. He said afterward that he doesn't think it's serious.
The Phillies received some encouraging news before the game, which obviously helped their offense score a season-high 17 runs. Expos pitcher Tony Armas Jr., who threw six shutout innings in a victory over the them last week in Montreal, could not pitch because of shoulder stiffness.
The Expos started rookie Shawn Hill instead.
Hill hadn't pitched since June 17 - in double-A Harrisburg against Altoona.
Hill, who made his big-league debut, is one of the Expos' top prospects, and they called him to the big leagues last week because they needed a pitcher in the bullpen who could throw more than an inning, if needed.
He lasted just three innings against the Phillies, who had an 8-3 lead after three.
It continued from there with the long ball.
Bowa said afterward that a record 43 homers in a month won't stand.
"It will be shattered every year probably," he said. "The hot weather hasn't even come yet."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9042/81762844604.jpg
Look, ma, no hands! Placido Polanco (left) and Tomas Perez eschew the traditional high five after Polanco hit a solo homer in the third inning against Montreal.