Athletics’ Phillips Makes Most of Rare Chance : No. 6 Batter’s Two-Run Homer in Sixth Inning Helps Do In Witt and Angels

With Mark McGwire and Dave Parker clearing the bases ahead of him most of the season, Oakland second baseman Tony Phillips hasn’t had much opportunity to drive in runs.

But he did Friday night.

Phillips hit only his fourth home run of the season, but he made it count.

His two-run blast in the sixth inning boosted the A’s to a 5-0 victory and sole possession of the American League West before a crowd of 61,696 at Anaheim Stadium.

“I haven’t had a home run in a long time, so this was really nice,” Phillips said. “I think we’re starting to be more aggressive. This is definitely a good sign.”

Parker, who has 15 home runs, and McGwire, who has 20, bat ahead of Phillips’ No. 6 position in the Oakland lineup. Parker and McGwire each had 66 runs batted in going into Friday night’s game.

Oakland Manager Tony La Russa has used Phillips in several spots throughout the lineup.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s first or fourth,” Phillips said. “I’m only one type of hitter--one who gets on base.”

Which means, of course, that Phillips usually comes to the plate with no one on base.

And when there were baserunners, Phillips wasn’t driving them in. He was hitting only .192 with runners in scoring position and had 29 RBIs.

But after Parker hit a fly ball to left field for the A’s second out and McGwire singled to center in the sixth, Phillips saw his chance.

Phillips smashed Mike Witt’s 1-and-0 pitch over the right-field fence, giving the A’s a 3-0 lead.

“Phillips put a good swing on the ball,” La Russa said. “This was a good win. We had defense, pitching and timely hitting. That’s a hell of a formula.”

Third baseman Carney Lansford tagged Witt in the eighth inning for a solo home run, his second homer of the season. Dave Henderson walked and scored on a double to right field by Parker.

The A’s needed Lansford’s and Phillips’ unexpected power.

Outfielder Jose Canseco has been sidelined with a strained muscle in his right thigh since Monday. Parker had only three hits in his last 17 at-bats before Friday, and McGwire had 10 hits and only one homer in his previous 61 at-bats.

Until Friday night, Phillips hadn’t fared much better.

Phillips’ homer, his fourth against the Angels in his career, was a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy stretch. He had only 11 hits in his last 62 at-bats (.177) entering Friday night’s game, pulling his season average down to .245.

Although struggling at the plate, Phillips has been one of the A’s most versatile players in the field.

He has played first, second, shortstop and third base this year as well as right and left field.

Last year, he was one of only two American League players to start at six different positions, and he played more than one position in a game 30 times.