Phillie Pitcher Person Makes Grand Return

Robert Person’s elbow injury sure didn’t affect his swing.

Making his first start since April 29 after going on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his right elbow, the Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher drove in seven runs with a grand slam and a three-run homer in an 18-3 rout of the Montreal Expos on Sunday at Philadelphia.

Person also pitched five innings for his first victory of the season.

“I’m still coming back to earth,” he said. “I’m glad I was in that situation. I’ve left a lot of guys on base before.”

Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer and a run-scoring single in a 10-run first inning for Philadelphia. Burrell finished with three hits and five RBIs, Bobby Abreu had four runs batted in, and Marlon Anderson had three hits and three runs scored.

The Phillies, swept in Montreal last weekend, took two of three to win their fifth consecutive series at home. They are a major league-worst 5-22 on the road, but 18-10 at Veterans Stadium.

Cincinnati 5, Atlanta 1--Elmer Dessens pitched seven shutout innings and Barry Larkin sparked a late rally at Cincinnati with a three-run double off Damian Moss (2-2).

After getting outscored, 14-1, in the first two games of the series, the NL Central leaders relied on Dessens (4-3), a handful of nice defensive plays and a seventh-inning rally to salvage one game in the series.

Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 2--Abraham Nunez drove in three runs, including a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning to lead the Pirates at St. Louis.

Sean Lowe (1-2) got two outs for the victory and Mike Williams pitched the ninth for his 17th save.

Chicago 4, Houston 2--Matt Clement pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, and Moises Alou hit his first homer in a month to lead the Cubs at Chicago.

Clement (4-3) gave up two runs, five hits and two walks. He struck out six. Antonio Alfonseca gave up an RBI single to Lance Berkman in the eighth, but got four outs for his ninth save in 10 chances.

Florida 7, New York 3--Preston Wilson drove in two runs with a homer and a triple at Miami, and the Marlins sent Al Leiter to an early shower for the second time in a week.

Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3--Jeffrey Hammonds hit a tiebreaking homer leading off the eighth inning, and the Brewers completed a three-game sweep at San Diego.