Burrell has 17 RBI in April
MIAMI (AP) -- Pat Burrell's run-producing hits are getting
longer.
The most prolific slugger in baseball so far this season hit a
two-run homer into the upper deck in the first inning, extending
his streak of at least one RBI in every game, and the Philadelphia
Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 4-1 on Monday night.
Burrell's fourth homer gave him 17 RBI, most in the major
leagues and five shy of the team record for April, set by Von Hayes
in 1989. Burrell is batting .448 with a slugging percentage of
.966.
"He's really carrying our team right now, and it has been
great," first baseman Jim Thome said. "He's got a ton of ability,
and we all strive to get to the point where you get locked in like
that."
Brett Myers (1-0) allowed an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings
against Florida's fitful attack. In three victories, the Marlins
have outscored opponents 26-0. In four losses, they've been
outscored 13-6.
"I can't explain it," Florida slugger Miguel Cabrera said.
"It's frustrating when you score eight runs one day, and then. ...
You have to think about what you did wrong."
Myers took the mound with a lifetime ERA of 6.41 in nine games
against Florida but struck out eight, walked one and allowed three
hits.
Carlos Delgado doubled twice for the Marlins, but he flied out
against Rheal Cormier with two on in the eighth. Tim Worrell then
came on to retire Mike Lowell, and Billy Wagner pitched the ninth
for the Phillies' first save.
Florida's Luis Castillo, hitless in his past 17 at-bats, failed
to hit the ball past the pitcher in three trips before Damion
Easley pinch hit for him in the eighth.
"We need somebody who can hit the ball," manager Jack McKeon
said. "He's not hitting. We've got to get some offense
somewhere."
Castillo's average fell to .095.
Al Leiter (0-1) needed 114 pitches to get through five innings
before departing for a pinch hitter. He allowed five hits, four
walks and three runs.
Bobby Abreu scored twice and had two hits and three stolen bases
for the Phillies, who began the week leading the majors with 43
runs.
After Leiter hit Abreu with a 2-2 pitch with two outs in the
first, Burrell hit a homer estimated at 427 feet to give the Phils
a 2-0 lead. He said he resisted any temptation to admire his work
as he trotted to first.
"I remember [former major leaguer] Matt Williams said something
years ago in the paper -- 'Hit them like you're used to hitting
them,'" Burrell said.
His streak of at least one RBI in seven consecutive games is a
career best. He has a homer in his past three games.
"He's hotter than a firecracker," McKeon said. "You've got to
pitch accordingly. Guys that are hot, you've got to use your head
and keep the ball away from them."
Burrell cost the Phils a run in the second when he dropped a
two-out fly in left field to let Delgado score from second.
"It should have been a shutout," Burrell said. "But some guy
dropped the ball in left field. It didn't travel as far as I
thought, so I was actually reaching for it."
Philadelphia went ahead 3-1 in the fourth on a walk, a sacrifice
and a two-out single by Jimmy Rollins.
Abreu doubled leading off the seventh against Matt Perisho and
later scored on Thome's sacrifice fly.Game notes
The crowd of 11,416 was the lowest in Miami since last May
24. ... Leiter started in Miami against the Phils for the first
time since May 1, 1996. ... The ERA for Florida starters rose to
1.59. ... Lowell's average against Myers dropped to .167
(3-for-18). ... Cabrera fouled a ball off his left ankle in the
first inning and had ice on it afterward, but he said he would be
able to play Tuesday.
FLA wins 2-1
Game Information
- Umpires:
- Home Plate Umpire - Laz Diaz
- First Base Umpire - Bob Davidson
- Second Base Umpire - Dana Demuth
- Third Base Umpire - Jim Joyce
2024 National League East Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta | 16 | 6 | .727 | - | W2 |
Philadelphia | 15 | 9 | .625 | 2 | L1 |
New York | 12 | 11 | .522 | 4.5 | L3 |
Washington | 10 | 12 | .455 | 6 | L1 |
Miami | 6 | 19 | .240 | 11.5 | L2 |