CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) _ When catcher Mike Lieberthal arrived at spring training last year, he was the Philadelphia Phillies' greatest concern.

Coming off a pelvic injury that sidelined him during the second half of the 1998 season, the Phillies were wondering if he could play, not how.

Lieberthal responded with an 18-game spring training hitting streak, a .474 batting average and 19 RBIs in 20 spring games. That led into a season where Lieberthal became a first time All-Star, won his first Gold Glove and hit .300 with 31 home runs and 96 RBIs.

He made his first contribution of this spring with an infield single in two at-bats Friday in a 12-5 win over Cleveland in the Phillies' spring training home opener.

Chuck Finley, signed away from Anaheim for $27 million over three years, was was perfect in his first spring outing for the Indians, retiring six straight batters with three strikeouts.

For Lieberthal, this spring presents a challenge.

``I'm more concerned with winning and not really as concerned with personal goals as before,'' Lieberthal said. ``Before it was more that you were trying to do everything for yourself because you were trying to establish yourself at the major league level. Once you're a high-quality player, you concern yourself more with winning.''

Lieberthal established himself enough that the Phillies signed him in August to a three-year contract worth a guaranteed $19 million. The contract includes a club option for 2003.

``Everybody wants to stay in one organization their whole career,'' Lieberthal said. ``I guess if you're not winning you don't. I love our coaches and our staff and I wouldn't want to go anywhere else.''

The signing was a crucial one for the Phillies. Third baseman Scott Rolen, center fielder Doug Glanville and right fielder Bobby Abreu have also signed multi-year contracts with the Phillies. But Lieberthal is the only one who gave up years up free agency with his contract. He could have been a free agent after this season.

``It was important for us to start that trend,'' general manager Ed Wade said. ``It's not the trend for players to spend their career with one team anymore. But I'd like to think we're not past the point where that can happen.''

Starting pitcher Andy Ashby is eligible for free agency after this season, starting pitcher Curt Schilling after the 2001 season and Rolen after the 2002 season.

They'll know that, at the very least, a Gold Glove and All-Star catcher is going to be around. The Phillies' No. 1 draft pick in 1990, Lieberthal is entering his 11th year in the system, the longest tenure of any uniformed personnel other than third-base coach John Vukovich.

``It's been pretty funny how quick time goes by,'' Lieberthal said. ``Ten years is a pretty long time. But 10 years flew by.''

That leaves Lieberthal looking forward to year 11.

``I think that with any young player, I should be better this year as far as mentally being more prepared,'' Lieberthal said. ``I know the pitchers in the league better and I know how to handle myself better when I do get in to slumps.''

As for the game, Cris Pritchett hit a two-run homer as the Phillies rallied,

Cleveland took a 5-0 lead in the third off Mike Jackson, getting a two-run, opposite-field homer by Richie Sexson, but the Phillies scored five runs in two innings against Chris Haney.

In the eighth inning, Philadelphia scored six runs against Cleveland's Scott Kamieniecki with Chris Pritchett hitting a two-run homer and Jalal Leach adding a three-run double. Desi Relaford also had two doubles and three RBIs for the Phillies.

Ashby allowed three runs and three hits in two innings, and reliever Carlos Reyes pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Jackson allowed a walk and four hits.