Hard to start

My car would die at idle or at a stop sign. It would turn over but had difficulty starting and would sometimes start or eventually drain my battery until I got a charge or jump. It would eventually start but would take longer and longer each time. Yesterday it took 20 minutes before it would finally start. I tested the fuel line by taking it off and turning it over and gas did come out into a container. I also tightened the loose throttle cable.