Sports

NL: Streaking Lieber helps Phils into wild-card lead

Associated Press
Published August 18, 2005

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PHILADELPHIA - Now that the Phillies are atop the wild-card standings, they have to find a way to stay there.

Jon Lieber pitched six strong innings and Bobby Abreu hit a two-run double, leading the Phillies over the Washington Nationals 4-3 Wednesday night.

On a day Terrell Owens' return to the Eagles after being dismissed for a week dominated the news in Philadelphia, the Phillies tied Houston for first in the wild-card race. Washington remained a half-game behind.

"We've got a long ways to go, but I'm glad we caught them," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Philadelphia hasn't reached the postseason since losing the World Series in 1993. The Phillies were in the playoff race in the final month three of the past four years but faltered each time.

"The intensity of the players is different," Abreu said. "The way we play shows everyone we've got the right team."

Lieber allowed two runs and three hits to win his third straight start after losing six of seven decisions. He retired the side in order five times, and got the last 10 batters he faced out.

"My location got better as the game went on," Lieber said. "I kind of got into a rhythm."

Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 30 chances. Ryan Madson worked out of a jam in the seventh after giving up a run. Ugueth Urbina pitched a scoreless eighth.

After the Nationals scored twice to tie it at 2 in the third, the Phillies went ahead for good in the bottom half. Jimmy Rollins singled to lead off against Esteban Loaiza, and Kenny Lofton doubled. After Chase Utley bounced out to third, Abreu doubled high off the wall in left-center, giving the Phillies a 4-2 lead.

BRAVES 10, DODGERS 2: Jeff Francoeur homered, tripled and threw out another runner from rightfield, leading host Atlanta.

Andruw Jones hit his major-league-leading 38th homer and Tim Hudson pitched eight strong innings for the Braves, who bounced back after losing on a three-run ninth the previous night.

Francoeur, 21, is off to a dazzling start since being called up from the minors July 7. He had his first career triple and followed with his 10th homer, a two-run shot in the fifth that knocked out starter Odalis Perez.

Francoeur also threw out Perez trying to stretch a single, the outfielder's ninth assist and one behind league leaders Geoff Jenkins of Milwaukee and Cliff Floyd of the Mets.

MARLINS 6, PADRES 0: Dontrelle Willis pitched a five-hitter for his fifth shutout this season, and host Florida shook a hitting slump.

Willis doubled home two for the Marlins, who did all their scoring in the first two innings against Woody Williams. Carlos Delgado hit his 23rd home run, Florida's third in the past 12 games.

Willis struck out three, walked one and benefited from three double plays. He leads the major leagues in shutouts and is tied with St. Louis' Chris Carpenter for tops in complete games with six.

CUBS 4, ASTROS 2: Nomar Garciaparra homered, and starter Carlos Zambrano homered and pitched 81/3 innings for visiting Chicago.

Zambrano allowed three hits, three walks and struck out 10 for his third win in four starts. He is 6-1 in his past 10 starts.

Ryan Dempster came on with one out and one on in the ninth. Mike Lamb reached on a fielder's choice and after another out, Adam Everett walked to load the bases. Dempster earned his 18th save by getting Brad Ausmus to ground out.

CARDINALS 5, D'BACKS 0: Mark Mulder pitched a five-hitter for his second shutout of the season and John Mabry hit a two-run homer for host St. Louis, which improved to 76-44 and passed the White Sox for the majors' best record.

METS 5, PIRATES 1: Carlos Beltran scored twice in his return from a frightening injury, sparking Tom Glavine and host New York. David Wright and Jose Offerman hit two-run singles for the Mets.

GIANTS 3, REDS 2: Noah Lowry pitched a season-high 81/3 innings, drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run for visiting San Francisco. Lowry left for an undisclosed reason after striking out Ken Griffey to start the ninth.

BREWERS 2, ROCKIES 0: Chris Capuano allowed six hits over seven innings and drove in both runs to lead visiting Milwaukee.

[Last modified August 18, 2005, 01:05:19]