Phillies Outduel Astros

Philadelphia is turning Enron Field into a pitcher`s park. Amaury Telemaco allowed three hits in seven innings and Jimmy Rollins hit a tiebreaking single as the Phillies beat the Houston Astros 3-2 Tuesday night.

Telemaco (4-0) struck out four and walked two, helping extend NL East-leading Philadelphia`s winning streak to four.

"In this ballpark, and with this lineup, it`s awesome," Telemaco said. "I was locating my fastball and going with my slider. I was going with my strength."

Robert Person two-hit the Astros in a 5-0 victory Monday night. Houston has six hits in two games against the Phillies.

"I know I can do well if I work hard – I can stay at this level and survive," Telemaco said. "My confidence and my mentality are high."

Jose Mesa, Philadelphia`s third pitcher, got three outs for his ninth save in 10 chances, completing a four-hitter. Mesa struck out two.

"That`s two great games in a row for our pitching staff against a good-hitting team," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "He made only one mistake and (Richard) Hidalgo hit it where he was supposed to."

Jose Lima played while the players` association appealed his five-game suspension for hitting New York`s Jay Payton with a pitch. He struck out a season-high eight in seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits.

"I pitched inside today – no one tried to charge the mound," he said.

After the game, Lima said would have the union drop the appeal. He planned to begin serving his time Wednesday.

"I`m going to take my suspension like a man," Lima said. "I can`t believe Payton didn`t get a one-day suspension. I`m disappointed that it happened. He was the one trying to kill me.

Lima had his best game since April 10, when he blanked Milwaukee 3-0 for his only victory this season.

"This is the first step to start getting my confidence back," he said. "I`ve had a rocky few starts but today I kept the ball down. I can still come back and have a good year."

With the score 2-all, Mike Jackson (0-1) walked Rob Ducey, who pinch-hit for Telemaco with one out in the eighth, and Ducey advanced on Doug Glanville`s sacrifice. Rollins then singled to right.

Telemaco allowed one hit and retired 15 batters in a row until Moises Alou hit a one-out single in the seventh inning and Hidalgo followed with a two-run homer.

"It was a tie game," Telemaco said. "I knew if I just kept us in there, we would get the win."

Bobby Abreu put Philadelphia ahead with an RBI single in the first. Lima retired 11 straight batters before Marlon Anderson triple to the hill in center in the fifth, then scored on Kevin Jordan`s single.

"I don`t know if it was their pitching or we`re just not hitting," Astros manager Larry Dierker said. "But I don`t think either of these guys (Person and Telemaco) are going to win the Cy Young Award."

Notes: The Phillies are 7-4 in one-run games. ... Slumping Houston 3B Chris Truby (.211) got a rest Tuesday night and Charlie Hayes started in his place. ... Phillies 1B Travis Lee did not start because of a bruises on his right side he received colliding with a fence in Monday night`s game trying to catch a foul ball.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)