Phils Protest in Loss to Expos

Vladimir Guerrero, the center of a Phillies` protest in the first inning, drove in two runs and scored another Friday night to lead the Montreal Expos over Philadelphia 5-1. The Phillies lost their third straight game. They began the day trailing Atlanta by one game in the NL East.

With a runner on first and one out in the opening inning, Nelson Figueroa (4-5) hit Guerrero in the left shoulder with a first-pitch fastball.

Guerrero, who had been 3-for-6 lifetime against Figueroa, shouted at the pitcher, Figueroa appeared to motion for Guerrero to take first base, and the Expos` star charged the mound.

Guerrero was stopped by home plate umpire Chris Guccione and Phillies catcher Todd Pratt. Both benches and bullpens emptied.

After calm was restored, Phillies manager Larry Bowa argued vehemently with all four umpires before filing a protest, claiming Guerrero should have been ejected.

Mike Thurman (7-10) gave up just one run and three hits in 6 1-3 innings. He matched his career high with eight strikeouts.

Thurman, who had lost his last three starts, did not allow a hit through the first 4 1-3 innings. He walked two and the only run he allowed came on Travis Lee`s RBI single in the seventh.

Scott Strickland pitched the last two innings for his fourth save in five chances.

Guerrero walked, stole second, continued to third on a throwing error and scored on Orlando Cabrera`s single.

The Expos added a run in the fourth on Michael Barrett`s RBI double.

Lee Stevens, who had three hits, hit a solo homer in the eighth off reliever Ricky Bottalico. Guerrero added a two-run double in the ninth.

Notes:
Guerrero faced Figueroa two more times after being by a pitch, drawing a walk and grounding out. ... Eight of the Phillies` last 10 games have been decided by two or less runs. Philadelphia is now 3-5 in those games. ... Despite the Phillies being in the division race, the game drew only 14,272 fans. ... The Phillies will call up five players – pitchers Vicente Padilla and Doug Nickle, shortstop Nick Punto, outfielder Eric Valent and catcher Matt Walbeck – from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when rosters can expand Saturday. Also, LHP Randy Wolf will return from the disabled list and reliever Eddie Oropesa will join the team on Monday after being optioned last week to Class A Clearwater. ... The Expos are activating three players as well – pitcher Carl Pavano, who will start Saturday against the Phillies, outfielder Terry Jones and reliever Guillermo Mota.

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

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: 6 ABC - Action News