Abreu Homer Lifts Phils Over New York

Bobby Abreu`s solo homer off John Franco in the eighth broke a tie, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

The Phillies won two of three to take their first series since the All-Star break, and remained two games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East. New York, which went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position, has lost three of four since winning five straight.

Al Leiter pitched seven strong innings for the Mets before leaving for Franco (4-2) at the start of the eighth.

Abreu hit Franco`s first pitch just inside the left-field foul pole for his 21st homer.

Jose Santiago (1-2) retired all four batters he faced, getting Benny Agbayani on a double-play grounder to end the seventh with two runners on.

Jose Mesa worked the ninth for his 26th save in 28 chances.

The Mets scored two off David Coggin to take a 2-0 lead in the fifth, but Johnny Estrada tied it on his fifth homer in the sixth.

Pat Burrell was hit by a pitch with one out in the sixth. Travis Lee followed with a deep fly to center, but Tsuyoshi Shinjo made a spectacular, twisting, over-the-shoulder catch for the second out. Burrell could`ve been doubled off first, but shortstop Rey Ordonez dropped the relay throw from Shinjo.

Estrada then hit a 1-0 pitch into the left-field bullpen to tie it at 2.

Coggin pitched out of trouble the first four innings before allowing two runs in the fifth.

Desi Relaford hit a ground-rule double to start the fifth. After Mike Piazza was intentionally walked with one out, Relaford stole third and scored on Mark Johnson`s single to right.

Piazza went to the third on the hit and scored just ahead of Jimmy Rollins` throw when Johnson got caught in a rundown between first and second.

Leiter allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He has given up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his last 13 starts.

Coggin allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. After walking just three batters in his first three starts, Coggin has walked 10 in his last two, including four Sunday.

Leiter got Burrell on a checked-swing grounder to third, ending the first with runners at the corners. Leiter retired Abreu on a liner to center that ended the fifth with two runners on.

Game notes:
Shinjo went 3-for-4 after his first four-hit game Saturday night. ... New York stranded nine runners in the first five innings. ... Rolen stole his 11th base in the eighth. He has just nine homers.

Courtesy Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2001.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News