A Pinch of Conine Makes Marlins’ Day

Jeff Conine took off most of the day, then took a jog around the bases.

Conine hit the first pinch-hit homer of his career, a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Florida Marlins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-1, Thursday at Miami.

“I wish I could end every day off the same way,” Conine said. “To hit a game-winning homer in the ninth, that’s the best.”

Florida tied the score in the eighth against Todd Stottlemyre on a two-out, run-scoring single by Edgar Renteria, who was batting only .179.

Manager Jim Leyland rested Conine and three other regulars for the day game following a night game. The rest was timely for Conine, who woke up feeling ill Thursday.

“This morning I was thinking more about running to the bathroom than to first base,” he said.

Mark Petkovsek (1-2) relieved Stottlemyre to start the bottom of the ninth. Conine pinch-hit for pitcher Mark Hutton (1-1) with one out and hit a 2-and-1 pitch just inside the left-field foul pole.

Catcher Mike Difelice stole home for the Cardinals’ only run against Kevin Brown, who gave up three hits in seven innings. Brown walked five and hit a batter, and his earned-run average rose from a league-leading 0.86 to 0.96.

The last straight steal of home by a Cardinal catcher was by Glenn Brummer on Aug. 22, 1982, to win a game in the 12th inning against San Francisco.

Leyland and Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa got angry in the first inning after Stottlemyre hit Gary Sheffield in the left shoulder. Sheffield took several steps toward the mound and exchanged words with Stottlemyre before tossing away his bat and walking to first base.

“I’m tired of seeing Sheffield put that act on,” La Russa said. “That’s really a tired act. Just go out and play the game of baseball.”

Leyland cursed at Stottlemyre from the dugout after Sheffield was hit.

“I was upset,” Leyland said. “When you pitch inside and drill guys, it’s not free all the time.”

Pittsburgh 3, Cincinnati 2--Jermaine Allensworth grounded a three-run double down the left-field line in the fifth inning and the Pirates ran the Reds’ road losing streak to eight.

Esteban Loaiza (2-0) shook off winterlike weather and a run-scoring triple by pitcher Mike Morgan (0-1). Loaiza limited the Reds to six hits in seven innings.

The temperature dropped to 34 by the ninth inning, light snow fell briefly and wind gusts lowered the wind-chill reading into the low 20s. Stadium vendors passed out free hot chocolate to the estimated 2,000 fans.

John Ericks pitched the ninth for his fifth save. The Reds scored a run on catcher Jason Kendall’s wild throw on a double steal, but Barry Larkin lined to first with runners at first and third to end the game.

Montreal at Philadelphia, postponed--Phillie Manager Terry Francona saw at least one positive sign Thursday night--the Phillies did not lose.

The game between the Phillies, who have lost five in a row, and the Expos was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday.

“This is the happiest I’ve been in a week,” Francona said. “We didn’t lose.”

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Jeff Conine Florida J. Allensworth Pittsburgh Jose Guillen Pittsburgh

Player Performance Team’s Result Jeff Conine game-winning pinch-hit homer Win J. Allensworth three-run double accounts for all Pirate scoring Win Jose Guillen sixth multi-hit game since 1-for-20 start Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Esteban Loaiza Pittsburgh 4-1 since 13-game winless streak Kevin Brown Florida 7 innings, 1 run. ERA “jumps” to 0.96 T. Stottlemyre St. Louis 8 innings, 1 run. Hard luck no-decision

Player Team’s Result Esteban Loaiza Win Kevin Brown Win T. Stottlemyre Loss

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