We run our win streak to 6 including a crazy 20-14 decision over the Cards that also sees Earl Combs get his wrist fractured, an injury that will keep him out for at least a month and probably a bit more.
Three games later we lose Bill Foster for up to 2 months with a herniated disc in his back.
Once more unto the breach go the wounded soldiers.
When we travel to Beantown for four against the Braves, we two are tied at 70-44. We win an epic 14-inning first game 7-4 as Dihigo runs amok, follow that up with an easier 8-1 win as Foxx drives in 6, then win again as Trent gives us 8+ scoreless. We complete the sweep with a 7-1 win behind Benge as Foxx again shines.
We then proceed to drop 3 of 4 at the Giants and suddenly it is Philly I can see in the rearview mirror much more prominently than the Braves. Our final series of the month is a four-gamer at their joint, with the gap between us down to 4½ games. After they just destroy us with a combined score of 35-16 in a humiliating sweep, the three top NL teams are within a half-game of each other.
Game. On.
The bats are doing everything they can, with Foxx and Wells both hitting over 400 for the month and Vaughan not far off.
But there's not much you can do when the
lowest monthly ERA among your starters is a smidge under 4 and that figure for a couple in your staff is over 9. Injuries are only so much to blame, the rest is a combination of management and performance - both of which will need to be addressed in the offseason.
What a stretch run this should prove to be yet again.
Kiki Cuyler reaches 2000 hits, Charlie Gehringer 1500.
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