Paul Abbott got his first win as a Philly today as Philadelphia outscored the Cubs 4-3. All three Cubs runs came on solo HR off Paul. Abbott has now allowed 12 HR in 40 1/3 innings for the Phllies, and 20 in 87 1/3 innings for the year. That’s not a formula for success.
Re: Paul Abbott giving up the long ball
Well, at least he’s throwing strikes….
His last start prior to his win vs the Cubs was a dramatic improvement over prior starts, and his start v. the Cubs built on that start by being better still.
Abbott was a reliever who was converted to a starter for a couple of years by the Mariners in 2000-01, did fairly well, and then had arm trouble.
He hasn’t yet recaptured the magic of 2001. He’s 35. He can’t overwhelm hitters so he’s got to locate the ball.
But the 5 starters the Phils have trotted out from AAA ball haven’t fared better–they’ve all been blown out in the 1st inning–Abbott, sad to say, has been an upgrade.
But I agree with Der Webmeister–the homers are not a formula for success.
If its any consolation, the Phils are leading the NL in Homers, so he does have the option to sit back and let his team outslug the opposition…
–AJK