mlb.com
July 6, 2002

Morris Struggles as LA Wins

By Jared Hoffman

ST. LOUIS -- When Matt Morris starts at Busch Stadium good things usually happen. However, on Friday, for the unthinkable happened in a second consecutive start by Morris was given a decent-size lead at Busch, and the Cardinals lost.

On Friday, the Morris couldn't hold an early three-run lead as the Dodgers beat the Cardinals 6-5. Morris allowed all six runs and went only 5 2/3 innings.

Morris allowed a run in the first, but the Cardinals grabbed the lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by Albert Pujols that went 414-feet to straight-away center field. The Cardinals gave Morris a 4-1 lead in the second inning thanks to a RBI double by Eli Marrero and a RBI single by Fernando Vina.

However, Morris gave two right back in the top of the third to cut St. Louis' lead to 4-3. The Cardinals added a run the fifth but in the sixth the Dodgers scored three and Dave Roberts' RBIs single with two outs to make it 6-5 knock Morris out of the game,

"Five runs -- that should be enough -- not to take anything away from the Dodgers," said Morris. "I'm not throwing the ball where I should be and all my pitches are up."

Last Sunday against the Reds, Morris was given a 6-0 lead in the first inning but allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings and got a no-decision as the Cardinals lost to the Reds, 12-8.

After Friday's loss manager Tony La Russa indicated there was some concern regarding Morris' recent performances and said, "His location was in the middle of the plate. He suffered, and we suffered."

Morris does not believe his problems have anything to do with concentration or the mental side of the game.

"Mentally, I think I'm fine," said Morris. "Physically, it's just not there. My curveball - my strikeout pitch - is hanging in the zone. I think I'm fighting myself more than anything."

Last season Morris was 15-2 with a 1.62 ERA in 18 starts at Busch Stadium. This season he been much mortal, going 504 with a 3.50

Matt Morris is still going to Milwaukee for the All-Star Game and has had solid first half, leading the Cardinals in pitching Triple Crown categories and placing himself among the league leaders in wins (10), strikeouts (109) and innings (126 1/3).