Atlantic City Press - April 28, 1980
And Green Can’t Explain Why: Cards Rough Up Ruthven, Forsch Handles Phillies
St. Louis 10, Philadelphia 1
By Ed Hilt, Press Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA — By the end of the fifth inning, about 20,200 fans were wishing they were home watching the Sixers bask in glory instead of sitting in a damp cool Veterans Stadium watching the Philadelphia Phillies get roughed up by the St. Louis Cardinals.
And Phillie pitcher Dick Ruthven was wishing someone, anyone, could figure out why his arm which is said to be totally rehabilitated from surgery last year, has failed him miserably. Ruthven started, was bombed in 2⅔ innings for four runs, eight hits and a walk as the Phillies were routed 10-1.
Something has happened to the Phillie righthander somewhere between the operating table and the start of this season. And it’s a puzzle to Ruthven and manager Dallas Green. The Cardinals hit him hard, inflating the 9.00 ERA he took into the game.
“He says he has no discomfort and no pain," said Green after the clubhouse door was closed to reporters for about 10 minutes following the game for what the manager said was a calm team meeting.
“If there was pain, that would be one thing. But there isn't and that is what’s frustrating.”
And Green is starting to wonder if the pitching is frustrating the team. The Phillies seemed to be easy marks for winning pitcher Bob Forsch after the huge early Cards’ lead. St. Louis got one in the first after Garry Templeton tripled and scored on a Keith Hernandez (five-for-five) single. The Cardinals got another in the second when Forsch stroked a two-out single up the middle to deliver George Hendrick.
A Hernandez single, a Terry Kennedy double and a Ken Reitz single brought home two more in the fourth. It could have been worse. With a man on in the inning, former Phil Dane lorg hit a long fly that rightfielder Greg Gross had to reach up and catch on the fence for an out.
Three more in the fifth off Kevin Saucier, and three unearned runs against Lerrin LaGrow in the seventh put the game hopelessly out of reach.
Philadelphia, which had six hits, managed an unearned run in the fifth when Larry Bowa hit an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error by shortstop Templeton, his third error of the game. Bowa came home on a Luis Aguayo single.
Green couldn’t understand why Forsch, who is 1-1, gave his lineup so much trouble. The theory about getting behind early was one possible reason. But except for a late explosion Saturday night, he has been wondering what has happened to his potentially explosive offense.
“He (Forsch) pitched a good game," Green said, “but I think we should have handled him. As a team, we’re not hitting. Except for (catcher Bob) Boone’s homer and Gross’ triple last night (Saturday) we didn’t do anything.
“In our meeting, we just had a calm discussion. Although I did most of the discussing. I wanted to remind them not to slip in some areas that we've been known to slip in before. We have a good club. But lately we haven't had the hitting or the pitching. But we know we’ll get it.”
The pitching staff, other than Steve Carlton, has been less than impressive. The Phils are 6-8 and some wonder how many more chances Green can give Ruthven.
“I know the games in April count as much as the ones in September,” Green said. “I guess we’re going to have to give him a tougher look… re-evaluate where we are with him.
‘‘I’m willing to give him another start, and I can't say that will be the last one, either. I’m hoping the shock treatment of what’s happened to him so far and the conversation I’ll have with him will get through and do something.
“I don’t think he’s throwing the ball. Boone has said it, the coaches have said it and I have said it. Why, I don’t know. I can’t give you an intelligent answer.”
And neither could Ruthven. He has been insisting the problem is not physical, but after this loss, he did say he didn’t feel as powerful as he did when he won the first six starts last season, before being bothered by the bone chips.
“I don't know if it’s strength or what,” said Ruthven, who defeated the Expos in an unimpressive outing in his first start before being beaten twice. “But my arm isn’t hurting, so why blame it on the arm?
“I’ve been concentrating on the mechanics and strength, but I can’t give you an answer as to what's wrong. All I know is that I’ve been working hard, harder than I ever have in my life, and all I know is that I'm tired of coming in here after the third inning and doing pushups until I'm ready to puke.”
If the pitching doesn’t improve Ruthven may have company.