From Deseret News archives:

Utley extends streak, but Phillies lose

Published: Monday, July 31, 2006 11:23 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Distracted by trade speculation, Jon Lieber turned in a terrible performance.

Miguel Cabrera drove in three runs with a homer and two doubles, and Josh Johnson pitched seven strong innings to lead the Florida Marlins over the Philadelphia Phillies 15-2 on Monday in Philadelphia.

Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 32 games for Philadelphia, but Lieber was roughed up on a day when he wasn't sure if he would take the mound.

Lieber (4-8) allowed nine runs and 13 hits, including three homers, in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander had been mentioned in trade talks but didn't go anywhere before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline.

"I'm not foolish to say it wasn't a distraction, especially when you have to pitch on the deadline, and you don't know if you're going to pitch," Lieber said. "It's frustrating."

Johnson (9-5) gave up one run and five hits. The 22-year-old rookie struck out eight and lowered his NL-best ERA to 2.52.

"He was outstanding," Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. "He stayed ahead of hitters and made them hit his pitch."

Jeremy Hermida hit a three-run homer, and Miguel Olivo and Dan Uggla each added a two-run shot for the Marlins, who snapped a three-game losing skid.

Story continues below
But general manager Pat Gillick couldn't find a taker for slugger Pat Burrell, who has two years and $27 million remaining on his contract that includes a no-trade clause.

The underachieving Phillies, who trail the Reds by 5 1/2 games in the NL wild-card standings, made four trades in the past week to dump salaries and restock their farm system.

"There were things we would've liked to get done," Gillick said. "We got a few things accomplished, but we didn't do everything on our list."

One player they plan to keep in Philadelphia for a while is Utley. The All-Star second baseman was 0-for-2 against Johnson before he singled off the glove of diving second baseman Uggla. Utley's streak is the longest in the major leagues this season, and second-longest in team history.

ROCKIES 4, BREWERS 2: At Denver, Aaron Cook won for the first time in a month, and the Colorado Rockies found some of their missing power at the plate in a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

DIAMONDBACKS 15, CUBS 4: At Chicago, Orlando Hudson hit home runs from both sides of the plate, including his first career grand slam, as the Arizona Diamondbacks hit a team-record six homers in a victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
George Widman, Associated Press

Philadelphia's Chase Utley scores against Florida after hitting in his 32nd straight game.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Letters: Oil violence

Oil dependence is bad news. As for freedom of information, the U.S. has a...

Y., U. football: A look ahead, behind

oklahoma has a winning record.

12 high schools ready for 'The Turf'

5A is @ 2:30 & 4A is @ 6:30 on the 20th.

Matheson gets no thanks from GOP

So-called health-care reform is, of course, simply a Democrat scam. ...

Yes, during the dinosaur age, there were significantly more volcanos and the...

Its all one big hoax brought to you by the marxists that want to take over...

Stupid idea. Taxing food. Eating is not an option. Tax things which are...

Input sought on nondiscrimination

Flabbergasted with the comment "I'm personally tired of having gay rights...

CJ is a better fit replacing Brewer at the 2 in the long term. I think...

"Americans have long distinguished between behaviors that build and those...

Advertisements
Advertisement