Phillies Keep Rolen Over Braves

VETERANS STADIUM - Scott Rolen delivered yet another big hit, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta 5-2 Wednesday night to close within a half-game of the first-place Braves in the NL East. Philadelphia can move into first place alone for the first time since Aug. 16 by completing a four-game sweep Thursday night. The Phillies have won five in a row overall.

The Braves had won six of seven before terrorist attacks forced postponement of last week's games. Atlanta's skid also has allowed New York to pull within five games of the division lead.

Rolen, who hit two homers off Greg Maddux in Monday's 5-2 win and had the game-winning hit off John Smoltz in Tuesday's 4-3 victory, gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead with an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Rolen also made three outstanding plays at third base.

Rookie David Coggin, starting for the first time since getting no outs in a 7-4 loss to the Mets on Sept. 5, allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Coggin (5-5) had lost four straight.

Ricky Bottalico pitched a perfect eighth, and Jose Mesa worked the ninth for his 38th save in 41 chances.

John Burkett (11-11) allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings. His ERA increased from 2.86 – second-best in the league – to 3.00, fifth-best.

With the score tied at 2, Jimmy Rollins doubled to start the Phillies' sixth, moved up on a sacrifice and scored on Rolen's single. Marlon Anderson's RBI single made it 4-2.

Pinch-hitter Felipe Crespo added an RBI single in the Philadelphia seventh.

Pat Burrell made it 2-all with his 23rd homer, drive to deep center in the Philadelphia fifth.

Marcus Giles gave the Braves a 2-0 lead in the third with his seventh homer, an opposite-field shot into the right-field bullpen.

Notes:
Braves manager Bobby Cox was ejected in the sixth for arguing a call at third base. ... All of Coggin's outs were recorded on grounders or strikeouts. ... Philadelphia's defense turned three double plays. ... Andruw Jones struck out twice and hit into a double play. He has fanned 10 times in the series. ... Phillies reliever Turk Wendell will be out indefinitely with tendinitis in his right elbow. ... Crespo has 15 RBIs on 20 hits. ... Chipper Jones started in left field for just the second time this season.

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

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News