GaryMrMets
07-29-2004, 04:14 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s072904aa.htm
Phils still floundering in Florida
Thursday, July 29, 2004
By STEVEN WINE
Associated Press
MIAMI
Mother Nature and Hee Seop Choi made it another miserable night in Miami for the Phillies, who endured two rain delays Wednesday before losing again to the Florida Marlins, 6-3.
Choi hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Florida extended its winning streak against the Phillies at Pro Player Stadium to 13 games, including six this year.
The Marlins have won three in a row for the first time since May. They remain in contention in the NL East, which may make the front office more inclined to upgrade the roster before the trading deadline Saturday.
Mike Lowell's two-out double off Brett Myers put Florida ahead 3-0 in the third inning, but the Phillies rallied and tied it on Pat Burrell's two-out RBI double in the eighth.
In the bottom of the inning, Tim Worrell (3-4) hit Lowell with a pitch and walked Jeff Conine with two outs. Choi then hit his 15th homer, pumping his fist in glee as he reached first base.
Perhaps 2,000 fans remaining from the original crowd of 17,404 roared and chanted Choi's name.
Josias Manzanillo (3-2), Florida's fourth pitcher, retired the final four batters.
Rain fell during much of the game and delayed play twice - for 29 minutes between the third and fourth innings, and for 44 minutes before the bottom of the seventh.
Florida extended its franchise record for consecutive home victories against one opponent. Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Tuesday he was embarrassed by the streak, but his mini-outburst failed to inspire a better performance.
The Marlins climbed just one game above .500, but they're 10-1 against the Phillies this season and have won 22 of the past 25 games in the lopsided rivalry dating to last year.
On an 80-degree evening, Florida's Brad Penny left with no outs in the fifth because of a heat-related illness. He allowed five hits and two runs in five-plus innings. Myers allowed six hits and three runs in five-plus innings.
Florida scored in the first when Juan Pierre singled, took third on a single by Luis Castillo and scored on a double play.
Pierre and Castillo again both reached in the third with two out, and Lowell doubled them home.
The Phillies' Bobby Abreu doubled leading off the fourth and later scored on Burrell's groundout.
Singles by Placido Polanco and Abreu started the sixth. Aaron Small replaced Penny and gave up an RBI single by Jim Thome, cutting Florida's lead to 3-2.
More tests for Wagner: After waking up Wednesday morning feeling more stiffness in his left shoulder, closer Billy Wagner returned to Philadelphia and will be examined by team doctor Michael Ciccotti today.
"He wanted to make sure in his own mind that if he continued to play catch, he wouldn't be hurting his shoulder," Bowa said.
Phils still floundering in Florida
Thursday, July 29, 2004
By STEVEN WINE
Associated Press
MIAMI
Mother Nature and Hee Seop Choi made it another miserable night in Miami for the Phillies, who endured two rain delays Wednesday before losing again to the Florida Marlins, 6-3.
Choi hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Florida extended its winning streak against the Phillies at Pro Player Stadium to 13 games, including six this year.
The Marlins have won three in a row for the first time since May. They remain in contention in the NL East, which may make the front office more inclined to upgrade the roster before the trading deadline Saturday.
Mike Lowell's two-out double off Brett Myers put Florida ahead 3-0 in the third inning, but the Phillies rallied and tied it on Pat Burrell's two-out RBI double in the eighth.
In the bottom of the inning, Tim Worrell (3-4) hit Lowell with a pitch and walked Jeff Conine with two outs. Choi then hit his 15th homer, pumping his fist in glee as he reached first base.
Perhaps 2,000 fans remaining from the original crowd of 17,404 roared and chanted Choi's name.
Josias Manzanillo (3-2), Florida's fourth pitcher, retired the final four batters.
Rain fell during much of the game and delayed play twice - for 29 minutes between the third and fourth innings, and for 44 minutes before the bottom of the seventh.
Florida extended its franchise record for consecutive home victories against one opponent. Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Tuesday he was embarrassed by the streak, but his mini-outburst failed to inspire a better performance.
The Marlins climbed just one game above .500, but they're 10-1 against the Phillies this season and have won 22 of the past 25 games in the lopsided rivalry dating to last year.
On an 80-degree evening, Florida's Brad Penny left with no outs in the fifth because of a heat-related illness. He allowed five hits and two runs in five-plus innings. Myers allowed six hits and three runs in five-plus innings.
Florida scored in the first when Juan Pierre singled, took third on a single by Luis Castillo and scored on a double play.
Pierre and Castillo again both reached in the third with two out, and Lowell doubled them home.
The Phillies' Bobby Abreu doubled leading off the fourth and later scored on Burrell's groundout.
Singles by Placido Polanco and Abreu started the sixth. Aaron Small replaced Penny and gave up an RBI single by Jim Thome, cutting Florida's lead to 3-2.
More tests for Wagner: After waking up Wednesday morning feeling more stiffness in his left shoulder, closer Billy Wagner returned to Philadelphia and will be examined by team doctor Michael Ciccotti today.
"He wanted to make sure in his own mind that if he continued to play catch, he wouldn't be hurting his shoulder," Bowa said.