Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

July 15, 2002 - Game 92
Phillies explode for eight runs in the ninth to win 11-8

The Phillies biggest ninth-inning comeback in four years left Frank Robinson frustrated. Rickey Ledee, Pat Burrell and Scott Rolen homered in an eight-run ninth inning to lead the Phillies to the 11-8 victory over the Expos. The Expos blew their biggest ninth-inning lead since Sept. 13, 1997, when they allowed six runs to the Mets at Shea Stadium to blow a 6-0 lead before losing 9-6 in 11 innings.

"I just didn't do my job in the ninth inning," the Expos manager said as a tear rolled untouched down his right cheek. "I'd change a lot of things. I'd change the score, number one, but it's just - I'll take this one, not the players."

Again the bullpen couldn't keep the lead after the Expos went up 8-3 to begin the ninth. Brad Wilkerson hit a homer and Cliff Floyd and Jose Vidro each had two hits. Vladimir Guerrero, besides being one of the best power hitters in baseball, also has added a new dimension to his game. He is stealing bases more than at any other time in his career and in today's game swiped three to give him 20 for the year. He gives the opposition even more to think about when he steps to the plate.

Masato Yoshii thought that when he left after going five innings giving up five hits and three runs that he would get an easy victory. But Jim Brower, Scott Stewart and Matt Herges gave this game away as the Phillies tagged them for eight hits and eight runs thanks in part to the long ball. David Coggin pitched 2/3 of an inning to get his first win of the year and Jose Mesa picked up his 24th save on the year.

How does Frank Robinson get his troops to pick their heads up after this devastating loss?