Thursday, September 09, 1999
Astros 10, Phillies 2
PHILADELPHIA — Jeff Bagwell's 40th homer capped a nine-run sixth inning and Hampton earned his 19th victory Wednesday night as Houston defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 10-2.
The Astros' biggest inning since 1995 helped Mike Hampton (19-3) tie teammate Jose Lima for the NL lead in wins. Hampton has a 10-game winning streak.
“That's the story of my whole season,” Hampton said. “It seems like everybody plays their best when I'm pitching.”
Houston won its sixth in a row and held its three-game lead in the NL Central over second-place Cincinnati, which beat Chicago 6-4.
Bagwell and Daryle Ward each hit three-run homers in the sixth, the Astros' biggest burst since scoring nine in an inning against the Chicago Cubs on June 25, 1995.
“When you get down with the way Hampton was pitching, it was an uphill battle,” Philadelphia manager Terry Francona said.
Hampton pitched seven scoreless innings and gave up five hits. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 2.82, second in the NL behind Arizona's Randy Johnson (2.58).
“Hampton didn't lose his concentration and get sloppy,” Dierker said. “He's trying for a career year and I was proud he didn't get careless.”
Curt Schilling (15-6) gave up four runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out one, his lowest total since also fanning only one on April 24, 1994.
The Phillies have lost 12 of 13.
“This is as bad a run in the seven years that I've been here,” Schilling said. “If we don't find a way to play harder physically and mentally, there's going to be a lot more losses.”
Craig Biggio hit a solo home run in the Astros third.
In the Houston sixth, Bagwell was hit by a pitch with one out and Ken Caminiti walked. Ward hit an 0-2 pitch over the right-field fence for his sixth homer of the year.
“I thought it was a good pitch,” Schilling said. “It was a fastball and I threw the ball where I wanted to, but it turned out to be a mistake. It just wasn't a good performance.”
Billy Brewer relieved Schilling and gave up a walk to Lance Berkman, a double to Paul Bako and an intentional walk to Tim Bogar that loaded the bases. Biggio's sacrifice fly scored one run and Billy Spiers singled in another.
Carlton Loewer, who had been on the disabled list since June 6, replaced Brewer and gave up Bagwell's home run.
Torey Lovullo hit a two-run homer in the Phillies ninth.
NOTES: Mostly because of closer Billy Wagner, Houston is 70-0 when leading after eight innings. ... The Astros lead the major leagues in stolen bases with 148. ... Ron Gant, who is 8-for-16 against Hampton in his career, sat out his second straight game because of lower back pain. ... Hampton has 18 hits, second among pitchers to Colorado's Pedro Astacio. Hampton is batting .281 (18-for-64).
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