GaryMrMets
08-01-2004, 07:59 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s073104c.htm
Phillies still can't find the medicine for losing ways
Saturday, July 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
The Phillies arrived at Wrigley Field Friday united and resolute, eager to leave behind a disheartening four-game sweep in Florida and start anew before their season slips further from their grasp.
The trouble was that being united and resolute doesn't guarantee a victory, the only thing sure to chase the miseries of the past week away. And despite their offense awakening for the first time on their season-long 13-game road trip, the Phillies dropped their fifth straight game, a 10-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
They might not be in Florida anymore, but they still couldn't claim a win despite scoring six runs in the first five innings behind left-hander Eric Milton, who was one start removed from coming within three outs of a no-hitter last Sunday.
"We were definitely looking forward to going out and playing another game," third baseman David Bell said.
But despite scoring more than three runs for the first time on the trip, the Phillies (52-51) fell to 0-5 and are just one game above .500 for the first time since May 8. And by losing, the questions that they hoped to leave behind in Florida ended up following them: Do they need a major trade to help them? And is manager Larry Bowa's job in jeopardy?
"With the series we just played, this was a big game," first baseman Jim Thome said. "We really needed this one."
They started off well enough, taking a 1-0 lead against Cubs right-hander Mark Prior on Bobby Abreu's solo home run - his first homer in 14 games and just the Phillies' second on the trip.
But they quickly padded that total, as left fielder Pat Burrell hit solo home runs in each of his first two at-bats. And Abreu's second homer, a three-run shot in the fifth, gave the Phillies a 6-3 lead and chased Prior after 4 1/3 innings.
"We swung the bats good today," Bowa said. "We got a lead, but Eric got up in the zone, and the lead just didn't hold."
The fateful sixth inning was just the sort of thing teams mired in long skids suffer at the least opportune times. The Cubs scored five runs in the inning off Milton and relievers Rheal Cormier and Roberto Hernandez, benefiting from bad hops and fortunate breaks.
Cormier, summoned in hopes of inducing an inning-ending double-play ball, got the grounder he wanted, but Bell was forced to field it on a high hop, and his throw home was too late to prevent the second run of the inning from scoring.
Mark Grudzielanek then hit a blooper that fell beyond the outstretched arms of second baseman Placido Polanco, scoring the tying run.
"When things aren't going right," Bowa said, "that's what happens."
Aramis Ramirez started the barrage with his second of three home runs on the day, and the Phillies were left with nothing to show for a much-needed change of scenery.
"We battled and showed some character," Burrell said. "Yeah, it's frustrating, but we're doing everything we can. I don't know what else to say but that."
As the questions pile up for the Phillies, the answers weren't any easier to come by.
Phillies still can't find the medicine for losing ways
Saturday, July 31, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
The Phillies arrived at Wrigley Field Friday united and resolute, eager to leave behind a disheartening four-game sweep in Florida and start anew before their season slips further from their grasp.
The trouble was that being united and resolute doesn't guarantee a victory, the only thing sure to chase the miseries of the past week away. And despite their offense awakening for the first time on their season-long 13-game road trip, the Phillies dropped their fifth straight game, a 10-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
They might not be in Florida anymore, but they still couldn't claim a win despite scoring six runs in the first five innings behind left-hander Eric Milton, who was one start removed from coming within three outs of a no-hitter last Sunday.
"We were definitely looking forward to going out and playing another game," third baseman David Bell said.
But despite scoring more than three runs for the first time on the trip, the Phillies (52-51) fell to 0-5 and are just one game above .500 for the first time since May 8. And by losing, the questions that they hoped to leave behind in Florida ended up following them: Do they need a major trade to help them? And is manager Larry Bowa's job in jeopardy?
"With the series we just played, this was a big game," first baseman Jim Thome said. "We really needed this one."
They started off well enough, taking a 1-0 lead against Cubs right-hander Mark Prior on Bobby Abreu's solo home run - his first homer in 14 games and just the Phillies' second on the trip.
But they quickly padded that total, as left fielder Pat Burrell hit solo home runs in each of his first two at-bats. And Abreu's second homer, a three-run shot in the fifth, gave the Phillies a 6-3 lead and chased Prior after 4 1/3 innings.
"We swung the bats good today," Bowa said. "We got a lead, but Eric got up in the zone, and the lead just didn't hold."
The fateful sixth inning was just the sort of thing teams mired in long skids suffer at the least opportune times. The Cubs scored five runs in the inning off Milton and relievers Rheal Cormier and Roberto Hernandez, benefiting from bad hops and fortunate breaks.
Cormier, summoned in hopes of inducing an inning-ending double-play ball, got the grounder he wanted, but Bell was forced to field it on a high hop, and his throw home was too late to prevent the second run of the inning from scoring.
Mark Grudzielanek then hit a blooper that fell beyond the outstretched arms of second baseman Placido Polanco, scoring the tying run.
"When things aren't going right," Bowa said, "that's what happens."
Aramis Ramirez started the barrage with his second of three home runs on the day, and the Phillies were left with nothing to show for a much-needed change of scenery.
"We battled and showed some character," Burrell said. "Yeah, it's frustrating, but we're doing everything we can. I don't know what else to say but that."
As the questions pile up for the Phillies, the answers weren't any easier to come by.