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Utley ups Phillies chances in four run eighth inning rally
By Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin July 16, 2006 |
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SAN FRANCISCO--The Philadelphia Phillies jumped on Giant reliever Steve Kline for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants 6-2, in the final game of a three game series at AT&T Park this afternoon, was tied 2-2 for seven innings before the Phillies rallied in the eighth for the victory. The combination of poor pitching and bad fielding lead to San Francisco’s loss, “I guess we'll just have to get ready for the next series" said a disgusted manager Felipe Alou. "things just didn't work out today”. The Giants won the first game of the series on Friday night but dropped the next two over the weekend with Philadelphia. The Giants losses in the final two games were by a combined score of 20-8. It was a perfect day for baseball in fact a bit cool the temperature being 71 degrees at game time, contrasting with the temperatures in the Central Valley at 105 degrees. The four run eighth began for the Phillies by Chase Utley hitting a triple to right center. Utley's triple in the wind took it keep drifting away from right field a couple balls hit that way didn't make in the wind The Phils Bobby Abreu struck out and Kline walked Pat Burrell. Ryan Howard singled up the middle to score Utley and Jonathan Sanchez came in to replace Kline in relief and Santos came in to replace Mark Sweeny at first. Sanchez threw a wild pitch to score pinch runner Shane Victorino. Aaron Rowland doubled to right field scoring Howard and former Giant David Bell tripled down the left field line scoring Rowland making it 6-2 Phils. The 2-2 tie was about the battle of the home run with the Giants Ray Durham hitting one in the second and Barry Bonds getting one in the sixth which was his 721st of his career, a 410 foot blast to left field. Bonds was in the game was attacking the ball and has been more aggressive, and therefore he's been swinging the bat and has been swinging at bad pitches. "I'm going to have to get used to that approach, or I'm going to have to let it go," said Bonds. The Phils got their two runs on Rowland's double in the fourth after Abreu walked and Bell's home run in the seventh. Brett Myers was the winning pitcher for the Phils pitching seven innings, allowing the Giants two runs on five hits. Starter Matt Cain pitched well for San Francisco allowing one run off a single hit in six innings Alou also talked about Cain's pitching, "Cain threw good a lot of pitches and a lot of deep counts. Its tough, it’s tremendous his stuff is going to keep him afloat." JC and Kenny G's Giants footnotes: San Francisco Giants’ Ray Durham jammed his right shoulder and is currently listed day to day. Sunday’s attendance of 38,241 was 4,000 less than capacity of AT&T Park. The new logo for the 2007 All-Star game was on display as the Giants will be host of the mid summer classic and the date announced on Sunday for the All-Star game is slated July 10, 2007 Other transactions: Lance Niekro was optioned to Fresno and Matheny was transferred to the disabled list to make room for Chad Santos on the 40 man roster. Santos was brought up from Triple A Fresno, where he was hitting at .263, with 12 home runs to his credit for the 2006 season. Santos is the 31st Hawaiian born player to be an MLB player and is third Giant player from Hawaii with Jessie Reed and Jerome Williams. After last week's talk about a possible grand jury indictment of Barry Bonds, his attorney Laura Enos says that Bonds may not be indicted after all. That just bringing two key witnesses to testify against Bonds and what they have to say isn't enough to indict the Giants outfielder. Bonds former business manager and former friend Steve Hoskins and Bonds former girlfriend Kimberly Bell say that they have heard Bonds tell them at different times that he admitted using steroids, Enos says that this is based on "he said - she said" and it may not hold water with the Grand Jury, "I am not expecting anyone else on the team expecting an indictment. (if the government) had the evidence they would have indicted him a long time ago," said Enos Enos added what wasn't fair was that the public heard about the indictment before the Grand Jury could vote to indict. If convicted however Bonds faces five years per each of the two charges of perjury and money laundering. Giant owner on Bonds: Owner Peter MacGowan when asked during the unveiling of the 2007 All-Star game emblem about if Bonds will be coming back he said that he may not be back with the club next season. For MacGowan many factors play into the situation, the BALCO mess will always will be number one as long as Bonds is on the club and if an indictment comes the Giants who already are suffering from the fall out of the team's image being damaged from all of this will take a top consideration. MacGowan also is concerned about Bonds health situation after missing most of last season and playing only 14 games for $10 million MacGowan doesn't think paying that much out and getting less is a good idea. This year Bonds is hitting .249 with 40 runs scored, 12 homers, and 39 RBIs. MacGowan said he wants to do whats in the best interest of the club and "there will be significant turnover for next season" as he said at the unveiling. "I still generate a lot of money for the franchise. My value still should be very high around here." Bonds said on Saturday about his future in San Francisco. Bonds could find himself as a designated hitter in the American League if he continues to chase Hank Aaron whom he is 35 homers short of 755. Bonds who many were wondering if he was going to retire after this season made it known he would be back playing next season but where is the question. If he goes to the American League he could go to a non-contender who is hungry to just get some kind of a draw at the gate. Although Bonds would command a contender one may not take him. All-Star Emblem: After looking at the All-Star emblem of the ball landing in McCovey Cove one could guess that the Giants brass thought this one over carefully as they wanted something that will represent the Giants up and until next season's mid summer classic at AT&T. The emblem shows a ball splashing into the cove with AT&T in the background. The illustration is highlighted from the right field wall in front of the cove with a ball splashing into the bay to its left. The Giants haven't held an All-Star game since July 10, 1984 when the National League just tipped the A.L. All-Stars in extra innings with Dwight Gooden at the time pitching for the Mets and the N.L. Giant’s catcher Mike Matheny's concussion and his 2006 season remains a mystery. Matheny is almost there in recovery and is working with a doctor in St. Louis who works with NHL players who suffer from concussions. Matheny is reported to be relaxing at home in Chesterfield Mo. "He's better, but still not better enough. Once his symptoms get to zero and he stays there a few days, we'll send him to Pittsburgh for a re-evaluation. He's still not there yet." said Giants trainer Stan Conte. Matheny could come back and play this year according to Conte. Monday's Milwaukee-Giant match ups: Zach Jackson (1-2 ERA 5.94) will start the first game of the three game series for the Brewers at AT&T Park. Jackson has lost his last two outings by scores of 8-0 in Minnesota and last loss in Miller Park by a 7-2 final to the Chicago Cubs. The Giants will counter with right hander Jason Schmidt (6-5 ERA 2.78) Schmidt has lost his last three decisions including a 3-1 loss to L.A. in his last start on July 9th. First pitch Monday is at 7:15PM PDT at AT&T. Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin co-host Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. Quote Source: Fox Sports Net Bay Area |
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