Schilling Strikes Out 16 in 5-1 Victory

From his front-row seat, George Steinbrenner watched as the big right-hander blew away batter after batter.

Too bad for the New York Yankees owner that it wasn’t his guy.

Curt Schilling struck out a career-high 16 while Hideki Irabu and Steinbrenner left early Monday as the Phillies defeated the Yankees, 5-1, at Philadelphia.

A crowd of 50,869, the largest at Veterans Stadium to see the Phillies since 1995, saw Philadelphia win for the sixth time in eight games. The Yankees have lost four of five.

“I’ve been really juiced up about this since the All-Star Game. I really wanted to face them today,” Schilling said. “The big crowd also made it a lot of fun. The crowd is what it’s all about because every out is a big out. It’s the kind of game you live for.”

Schilling (14-10), who pitched eight innings on the humid afternoon, raised his major league-leading strikeout total to 280. He also set a team record for strikeouts by a right-hander, passing Jim Bunning’s 268 in 1965.

“I wanted to go nine because I knew I was closing in on the record,” said Schilling, who walked none and gave up seven hits. “But the last couple of starts I’ve gotten a little fatigued late in the game. I want to be pitching four years from now.”

Irabu (4-3) was chased before getting an out in the fourth inning, giving up five runs and nine hits. Rookie Tony Barron led off with a home run, the 12th given up by Irabu in only 38 2/3 innings.

Steinbrenner, who personally saw to it that the Yankees acquired Irabu, watched from a front-row seat near New York’s third-base dugout. When Irabu was taken out in the fourth inning, Steinbrenner left and did not return.

New York Manager Joe Torre said he hasn’t decided what to do with Irabu next.

“I just don’t know,” he said. “I don’t want to make a comment at this time. I should make up my mind tomorrow.”

Milwaukee 3, Houston 2--Jeromy Burnitz had three hits, including a two-run double at Houston, and the Brewers handed the Astros their fifth consecutive loss.

The Astros tied their longest losing streak of the season. Still, they maintained a 2 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh in the National League Central.

Houston has lost seven of its last 10 games, yet only slipped one game in its race with the Pirates, who were 4-6 in that same span.

“Thank goodness for Cleveland [which defeated Pittsburgh on Monday],” losing pitcher Chris Holt said. “This is great to be able to play as badly as we’re playing and still not lose much ground.

“I guess it’s good and bad, though. These are games we could be getting up on guys in the race. I guess if you’re in a rut, it’s good that they’re in a rut, too.”

Cleveland 7, Pittsburgh 5--Sandy Alomar hit a three-run homer in the Indians’ four-run first inning at Pittsburgh.

The Indians and Pirates have coexisted 130 miles apart since Cleveland joined the American League in 1901, 14 years after the Pirates became part of the National League, yet had never played a game that counted, not even in the World Series.

Chad Ogea (6-8), making his first start since going on the disabled list June 24, won despite giving up six hits and four runs in five innings.

New York Mets 3, Toronto 0--Jason Isringhausen took a two-hitter into the seventh inning for his second win and John Olerud homered against his former team at New York.

Isringhausen was making his second start for the Mets since coming back from a broken wrist and tuberculosis this season.

“I’m happy with the way I threw,” said Isringhausen (2-0), who struck out six and walked six. “But I’m not happy with my control.”

Olerud, traded by the Blue Jays last December after playing eight seasons in Toronto, hit his 17th homer in the fourth off Pat Hentgen (14-9).

Montreal 4, Boston 2--Rookie Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning at Montreal.

Mike Lansing singled with two outs off Joe Hudson (3-1) and Guerrero followed with his ninth home run.

Montreal improved its record in interleague play to 10-3.

Chicago White Sox 5, St. Louis 4--Rookie Magglio Ordonez, making his first pinch-hit appearance, homered with two outs in the ninth inning to give the White Sox a win at St. Louis.

Ordonez homered off reliever Tony Fossas (1-6) to keep the White Sox, who moved over .500 for the first time since July 25, four games behind first-place Cleveland in the American League Central.

Minnesota 7, Chicago Cubs 6--Pat Meares hit a tying, three-run homer in the fifth inning and added the go-ahead single in the seventh as the Twins rallied for a victory at Chicago.

There were nine walks, two passed balls, two hit batters and one error--befitting for a game involving two of the majors leagues’ worst teams.

Paul Molitor had two hits, tying Paul Waner for 13th with 3,152.

Sammy Sosa hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Cubs. Sosa has 31 home runs.

Mike Trombley (2-2) got one out and was the winner. Greg Swindell pitched two shutout innings and Rick Aguilera got three outs for his 23rd save.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result J.T. Snow San Francisco double, 4 RBIs, 20 RBIs in interleague games Win Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle 4 runs, 4 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 homers, double Win Lenny Webster Baltimore 3 hits, 4 RBIs, triple, homer Loss Devon White Florida grand slam, 5 RBIs Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result John Thomson Colorado 8 innings, 1 run, 2 walks Win Matt Morris St. Louis 7 innings, 2 hits, 0 earned runs Loss

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