Phillies Get A Daal-ing Of A Win

A four-game winning streak has helped the Phillies forget the recent past.

After losing five of six games to drop out of first place, the Phillies have taken the first four of a five-game series against Florida, winning 6-4 Saturday night to remain alone atop the NL East.

"Everything`s forgotten now," said Bobby Abreu, who homered and drove in three runs. "Right now, we`re just starting to win some games."

The Phillies lost two of three last weekend in Florida and were swept at home this week by Atlanta to fall a half-game out of first.

Philadelphia is one game ahead of Atlanta and 5½ games ahead of the Marlins, who have dropped 10 of 12 to the Phillies this season.

"You don`t worry about the past," said Marlon Anderson, who had a two-run homer. "We`re in first place and we just have to go out and play good baseball."

The game drew the Phillies` biggest home crowd of the season of 45,207, enticed by postgame fireworks. The five-game series against the Marlins concludes Sunday.

Phillies starter Omar Daal (9-2) struggled but managed to get the win. In five innings, he gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks. Philadelphia improved to 14-3 in games started by Daal.

"Omar got us five innings but he ran out of gas," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "But the bullpen was great, it was a good one for us to win."

Jose Mesa pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 23 opportunities. Amaury Telemaco, Rheal Cormier and Mesa held Florida hitless over the final four innings.

A.J. Burnett (5-5), who has lost three straight starts, allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings.

"They were looking for fastballs and they hit them," Marlins manager Tony Perez said. "Burnett was behind the hitters too much."

After falling behind 3-0 after two innings, the Phillies scored a run in the third on Abreu`s RBI double, and took the lead with five runs in the fifth.

Pat Burrell led off that inning with a double and scored on Marlon Anderson`s eighth homer that tied it at 3. Daal walked, moved to third on Doug Glanville`s double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jimmy Rollins. Abreu followed with his 16th home run to cap the rally and give the Phillies a 6-3 advantage.

Florida scored twice in the first inning on RBI doubles by Eric Owens and Cliff Floyd, and made it 3-0 when Mike Redmond led off the second with his third home run.

"We scored three quick runs but couldn`t hold them," Perez said. "We played good, they just beat us."

The Marlins closed within 6-4 in the fifth when Dave Berg, who led off with a double, scored on another Floyd double.

Game notes:
Derrek Lee`s 27 RBI in June ties the Marlins` club record set by Bruce Aven in 1999. He also has 69 for the season, the most before the All-Star break in club history, breaking Preston Wilson`s mark set last year. ... Former Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw was the guest public address announcer. ... The attendance topped the 36,911 fans that came to Veterans Stadium for a Father`s Day game June 17 against Baltimore.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News