| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
NEW YORK (AP) -- Facing a hard-thrower like Armando Benitez can
be an intimidating task for most rookies. Pat Burrell just isn't
one of them.
Burrell hit his first career grand slam, his second key
ninth-inning homer off Benitez in as many nights, to lead the
Philadelphia Phillies over the New York Mets 10-5 Wednesday.
"I feel pretty fortunate to have had the success I've had
against him as good as his stuff is," said Burrell, who hit a
game-tying homer off Benitez on Tuesday when Philadelphia won 3-2
in 10 innings.
|  | | Philadelphia starter Curt Schilling had to settle for a no-decision on Wednesday. |
Burrell, the top pick in the 1998 draft, also homered in the
sixth inning for the his first career multihomer game. In one month
in the majors, he is quickly living up to the nickname "Pat the
Bat" he earned while playing at Miami.
"That's why they drafted him," Phillies manager Terry Francona
said. "He has a nice swing. I don't care if Benitez was up in the
zone or struggling. He can still fire that ball up there."
Philadelphia blew a 5-3 lead in the eighth before rallying
against the Mets' bullpen in the ninth. Doug Glanville led off with
an infield single off John Franco (2-3) and went to third on Ron
Gant's double. One out later, Franco intentionally walked Mike
Lieberthal, loading the bases.
Franco then fell behind Kevin Jordan 3-0 before walking him on a
3-2 pitch that was just high and outside. Manager Bobby Valentine
threw his gum on the dugout steps in disgust and the Shea Stadium
crowd booed as Franco was replaced by Benitez.
"I'm kind of disgusted with myself," Franco said. "I made the
pitch I wanted to throw. I just didn't get away with it."
Burrell then homered to left-center, sending the Mets faithful
scurrying to the exits. Burrell has three homers in his first two
games as a professional in New York.
"It's an awesome feeling," he said. "You can hear the crowd
get into the game. It is very exciting to be a part of it."
Wayne Gomes (4-4) got five outs for the win.
The last-place Phillies have won seven of eight against the
Mets, dating to last season. They have also won five of six during
the past week against New York and Atlanta, the top two teams in
the NL East.
Burrell's fifth homer of the season gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead
against Al Leiter. Gant, who went 4-for-5 with a homer and two
doubles, made it 5-3 with a solo shot in the seventh.
Curt Schilling allowed three runs in the first two innings --
including a mammoth two-run homer by Mike Piazza -- before settling
down with five scoreless innings.
"After the first two innings I tried to keep my pitches down
and mix them up because I knew my fastball wasn't as good as it
should be," Schilling said. "The fastball sets up everything for
me."
But Philadelphia's bullpen cost Schilling the win. Derek Bell
led off the eighth with a single off Chris Brock. Edgardo Alfonzo
then battled through a 10-pitch at-bat before lining a single to
left-center, sending Bell to third. Alfonzo stole second base as
Piazza struck out and both runners scored on Robin Ventura's single
off Mark Holzemer.
After falling behind 3-0, the Phillies tied it with three runs
in the third on Lieberthal's two-run double and a sacrifice fly by
Jordan.
"When I got the three runs I certainly didn't feel I could
cruise," Leiter said. "I felt like I had to be able to shut them
down. It didn't happen."
Leiter, who had won his last three starts, allowed five runs --
three earned -- and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Game
notes
Mets SS Rey Ordonez is out for the season because his
broken left forearm is not healing properly. He had been expected
back by the All-Star break. ... Scott Rolen walked in his first
three at-bats. ... Bell went 0-for-3 off Schilling and is 1-for-24
against the right-hander for his career. ... Burrell had been
5-for-26 off left-handers, including strikeouts in his first two
at-bats against Leiter, before homering in the sixth. ... Phillies
OF Bobby Abreu didn't start for the second straight game as
punishment for showing up late Tuesday. He entered in the ninth as
a defensive replacement.
| |
ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
NY Mets Clubhouse
Bad break: Mets' Ordonez out for rest of season
RECAPS
Boston 9
NY Yankees 7
Toronto 6
Detroit 0
Cleveland 8
Chi. White Sox 6
Texas 7
Minnesota 5
Anaheim 3
Kansas City 1
Oakland 10
Baltimore 3
Seattle 8
Tampa Bay 5
Chicago Cubs 8
Atlanta 1
Colorado 6
Cincinnati 4
Florida 5
Milwaukee 4
Pittsburgh 8
Montreal 3
Philadelphia 10
NY Mets 5
Los Angeles 7
Houston 6
San Francisco 4
St. Louis 1
Arizona 11
San Diego 8
|
