Pirates Avoid Nightmare in Ninth Inning

Two words constantly raced through Pittsburgh Pirate Manager Gene Lamont’s mind during the ninth inning: not again.

The Pirates nearly blew a six-run ninth-inning lead for the second consecutive year at Philadelphia before holding on to beat the Phillies, 8-6, on Wednesday night.

Last year, the Phillies rallied from a 7-1 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning in an 8-7 victory in the middle game of a three-game series at Veterans Stadium.

On Wednesday night--again in the middle game of a three-game series--the Pirates took an 8-2 lead into the ninth behind a strong performance from starter Kris Benson and four runs batted in from Warren Morris.

The Pirate bullpen, which had surrendered one earned run in its last 22 innings, made things interesting before former Phillie Mike Williams got the final out with runners at second and third.

“I had some flashbacks to last year,” Lamont said. “That loss was as devastating as they get. You don’t forget something like that game.”

The Phillies scored three runs in the ninth off Jeff Wallace on a two-run single by Marlon Anderson and an error by right fielder Adrian Brown.

Williams came in with a runner on third and one out and allowed a two-out RBI double to Gary Bennett. He then got Alex Arias to ground out for his 13th save in 15 chances.

Benson (6-5) faced one batter more than the minimum through seven innings and didn’t allow a runner past first base until the eighth, when he allowed a two-run single to Bennett.

New York 6, Florida 3--Mike Piazza had his hitting streak end at 24 games but Al Leiter (6-5) won his fourth consecutive start as the Mets won their third in a row at New York. The Marlins have lost eight in a row and 11 of 12.

Piazza went 0 for 4 and grounded out in his final at-bat in the eighth inning. He had tied Hubie Brooks’ team record for the longest hitting streak Tuesday with a home run in his final at-bat.

Leiter (6-5) allowed seven hits and three runs in seven innings and struck out seven batters.

Colorado 10, Chicago 1--Larry Walker hit a home run for the fifth consecutive game and Pedro Astacio (7-5) pitched a seven-hitter at Denver. Walker has 19 home runs.

Dante Bichette, with a home run and three RBIs, is batting .515 (17 for 33) with four homers and 15 RBIs against Cub starter Terry Mulholland (3-3).

Cincinnati 9, Arizona 7--Sean Casey and Greg Vaughn hit consecutive home runs for the third time this season to help the Reds overcome a 5-0 first inning deficit at Phoenix. Casey went four for five to raise his National League-leading batting average to .385.

The Reds, who had 17 hits, have won all six games at Bank One Ballpark.

Houston 8, St. Louis 4--The Astros avoided getting swept at St. Louis as Carl Everett and Bill Spiers each had two RBIs.

Atlanta 7, Montreal 3--Pinch-hitter Keith Lockhart’s RBI single in the sixth inning broke a 3-3 tie at Atlanta.