Yesterday afternoon, Hollins launched an eighth-inning grand slam off Lee Guetterman, snapping a 2-2 tie and sending the Phillies to a 6-3 victory over the New York Mets before 39,691 fans at Veterans Stadium.
In their first 99 games this year, the Phillies did not hit any grand slams. In their last two games, they have hit two.
On Tuesday, however, Daulton's grand slam was wasted because of some ugly work by the Phillies' relievers.
In that 8-6 collapse, Hollins, looking overmatched, struck out three times against the Mets' David Cone. After the game, Hollins "tore up something in the locker room."
Such as?
"Just something over there," Hollins said, pointing toward the back of the clubhouse. "But I'm getting better. Before, I might have torn up a few more things."
Adjusting to a dismal performance "is something I have to get better at," he said. "It seems to be tougher for me mentally than physically."
"Dave Hollins," manager Jim Fregosi said, "is probably his toughest critic."
But he's easing up on himself.
"Cone was dealing against me, and sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the pitcher when he's pitching like that," Hollins said. "It was almost like I was grinning up there because of the way he was handling me.
"Hey, I'm glad he hit me (with a pitch) just so I could say I got on base."
The score was tied at 2-2 yesterday when pinch-hitter Mickey Morandini singled to center to start the eighth against righthander Jeff Innis, who had replaced starter Sid Fernandez.
Innis was replaced by Guetterman, a lanky lefthander who had pitched superbly since being acquired from the Yankees on June 9.
But Daulton and Dykstra singled to load the bases. After Mariano Duncan fouled out to first baseman Bobby Bonilla, Hollins stepped to the plate.
Hollins worked the count to 3-1.
"I had to come in with a fastball," Guetterman said. "To tell you the truth, I didn't think he hit it that well."
