Lee`s Homer Makes the Difference

Travis Lee hit his second game-winning homer in three games, a three-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning that carried the Philadelphia Phillies past the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 Sunday.

The victory enabled the Phillies to reach the All-Star break in sole possession of first place in the NL East. Philadelphia is 50-37, its best record at the break since 1993. The Phillies trailed 4-2 entering the ninth, but rallied against the Orioles bullpen.

Jimmy Rollins drew a one-out walk from Mike Trombley before Buddy Groom (1-3) came in and struck out Bobby Abreu. After Scott Rolen singled, Lee drove a 1-1 pitch well over the 25-foot wall in right field for his 14th homer of the season.

It was the first homer allowed by Groom since May 19. The drive was nearly identical to the homer Lee hit in the 10th inning Friday, giving the Phillies 3-2 win at Camden Yards.

Randy Wolf (5-9) pitched two perfect innings for the Phillies, and Jose Mesa worked the ninth for his 24th save.

Chris Richard homered for the Orioles, who fell to 36-2 when leading after eight innings this year.

Down 2-1, Baltimore took advantage of four walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch to take the lead with a three-run sixth. After Brian Roberts led off with an infield hit off Robert Person and David Segui walked, a fly ball and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out.

Richard was walked intentionally, and Person walked Tony Batista to force in a run. Amaury Telemaco gave up a sacrifice fly to Melvin Mora, then hit Hairston with a pitch to force in another run.

Jose Mercedes allowed two runs – one earned – and eight hits in seven innings for the Orioles.

Two outstanding fielding plays enabled Mercedes to escape the first two innings unscathed.

Person required no help to escape a third-inning jam. After two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out, the right-hander struck out Roberts and Segui.

Philadelphia broke through in the fourth, with an assist from the Baltimore infield. With runners at second and third and two outs, Roberts dived to grab Doug Glanville`s grounder to deep short but threw a one-hopper to first, allowing two runs to score.

Richard`s 10th homer in the bottom half made it 2-1.

Notes: Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken got the day off ... Rollins got his NL-leading 28th stolen base. It`s the most by a Phillies player at the break since Juan Samuel had 30 in 1985. ... Roberts extended his hitting streak to 14 games. ... Philadelphia`s Marlon Anderson is 10-for-23 against Baltimore this season.

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

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)