Person Pitches Phillies Out Of Funk

Robert Person gave the Philadelphia Phillies just what they needed.

Person allowed two hits in eight innings and Scott Rolen drove in both Philadelphia runs as the Phillies snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

"He stopped the bleeding," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "He`s been unbelievable. (Houston) might have the best lineup from top to bottom and he`s shut them down twice."

On May 5, Person threw a two-hit shutout against the Astros at Enron Field.

"The key was locating my fastball," Person said. "The outside corner of the plate has been my friend lately and if you get that pitch, it opens everything else up."

Houston had its five-game winning streak snapped and is two games ahead of second-place Chicago in the NL Central.

Philadelphia remained one game behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East.

Person (11-6) didn`t allow a hit after Lance Berkman`s RBI double in the fourth. He retired 12 straight batters from the fourth inning to the eighth. After a two-out walk to Craig Biggio, Person got Jose Vizcaino to ground out to end the inning.

"You`re not going to win with three hits very often," Houston manager Larry Dierker said. "(Person) doesn`t look much different than any other pitcher but for some reason he gives us trouble."

Person struck out seven, including Jeff Bagwell three times, and walked four to win for the seventh time in eight decisions.

"I`ve definitely been in a groove lately," Person said. "Hopefully, we can build off of this game and string some wins together. We need a good streak."

Jose Mesa pitched the ninth for his 32nd save in 34 opportunities. He has converted 18 straight chances.

Rolen`s two-run single off Wade Miller (13-7) with two outs in the third inning gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. The Phillies loaded the bases with no outs helped by a throwing error by Miller on a sacrifice bunt by Person.

Miller got two outs on a liner to shortstop and a strikeout, before Rolen hit a liner past third baseman Vinny Castilla to score two runs.

Person received solid defensive support. Rolen made a tough barehanded play at third base to rob Craig Biggio of a hit in the fifth. Right fielder Bobby Abreu made a leaping catch against the wall to deny Castilla of extra bases in the seventh.

Miller, a native of nearby Reading Pa., allowed two unearned runs and five hits in six innings.

"He did a good job," Dierker said. "We had (Billy) Wagner ready for the ninth."

Dierker didn`t get a chance to use him thanks to Person.

Notes: C Todd Pratt has reached base safely in all 11 starts with the Phillies. ... Philadelphia CF Doug Glanville left the game in the fourth after fouling a pitch off his groin area. ... Bagwell had his 12-game hitting streak snapped. ... Alou went 0-for-3 against Person and is 1-for-14 with four strikeouts in his career against the right-hander.

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

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News