Phillies Out-Slug Astros

May 3, 1998 / 9:50 PM EDT / CBS/AP

The National League's best defensive team lost its way for a few days, but the Philadelphia Phillies recovered in time to snap a three-game losing streak.

Desi Relaford's sacrifice fly in the sixth brought home the go-ahead run as the Philadelphia Phillies ended the Houston Astros' winning streak at eight with a 5-3 victory Sunday.

But it was the Phillies' defense later in the game that secured the victory.

Philadelphia turned two double plays in the final three innings, including one started on a stellar effort by second baseman Mark Lewis, to help make up for the two errors they made earlier in the game and the three they made Saturday.

Lewis made a diving stop of a grounder back up the middle in the eighth, and flipped to Relaford, who completed the 4-6-3 double play that helped preserve the Phillies' two-run lead.

"That was beautiful," said Mark Leiter, the pitcher at the time. "I thought it was up the middle."

Manager Terry Francona called it the play of the game. "That's an unbelievable play under any circumstances, but the context of the game made it even better."

Lewis has struggled at the plate this year, hitting .194. And although he made an error earlier in the game, he generally hasn't let his slump at the plate affect his fielding.

"Just remember that defense is No. 1," Lewis said. "Anybody can play when things are going their way."

Houston manager Larry Dierker also pointed to the double play. "It looked like it would have been a base hit," he said.

Dierker took the end of his team's winning streak in stride: "It had to end sometime."

Wayne Gomes (1-0), who relieved starter Tyler Green in the sixth when Green left the game with a hamstring strain, gave up a hit and struck out two in one inning of work for the win.

Leiter pitched the final two innings for his second save.

Astros starter Sean Bergman (2-2) gave up six hits and two earned runs in 5 1-3 innings.

He walked Rico Brogna to lead off the sixth, then threw his second wild pitch of the game to move Brogna to second.

After a walk to Bobby Abreu, reliever Mike Magnante allowed a single to Mark Parent before Relaford drove home the run that snapped a 3-3 tie.

The Phillies added an insurance run in the seventh when Scott Rolen singled home Doug Glanville.

The Phillies, who made three errors Saturday night, committed two more in the fourth, leading to Houston's three runs.

With one out, Bill Spiers, Richard Hidalgo and Carl Everett singled to load the bases. Third baseman Rolen bobbled a grounder by Tony Eusebio, allowing Spiers to score and putting Eusebio on first.

Tim Bogar then hit a grounder to second. Lewis tagged Eusebio out, but his throw to first got by rogna, allowing Hidalgo and Everett to score.

An error by Houston second baseman Craig Biggio helped the Phillies tie it up in the bottom of the fourth.

After Brogna reached on a fielders choice, Lewis hit a grounder to second. Biggio's throw to get Brogna at second went wide, making both runners safe.

Abreu doubled home Brogna and Lewis, reaching third on the throw from the outfield and scoring on Parent's sacrifice fly.

Notes: The Phillies said Green is not expected to miss his next start Friday. ... Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal didn't start because of some tenderness in his right (throwing) arm. Lieberthal said it's not as serious as the elbow pain that caused him to miss much of spring training. Francona said Lieberthal might get Monday off as well. ... The longest win streak in Astros' history is 10 games. They've won 10 straight four times, most recently from May 26 to June 4, 1989. ... Astro catchers have thrown out five of 16 would-be base stealers this season, but Houston has been thrown out stealing a league-high 21 times. ... Relaford had a career-high seven-game hitting streak snapped when he went 0-for-3.