After misplays, Burrell helps Phils edge Cubs

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Philadelphia's Pat Burrell made up for two

defensive misplays with a baserunning gem.

Burrell lost two popups in the twilight over Veterans Stadium,

leading to two Chicago runs in the fifth, but his heads-up baserunning in the 10th gave the Phillies a 4-3 win over the Cubs on Wednesday night.

With runners on first and third and one out in the 10th, Burrell

was intentionally walked by Jeff Fassero (3-6). Travis Lee then hit

a grounder to second baseman Mark Bellhorn. Burrell stopped and

Bellhorn chased him back toward first.

While Bellhorn was chasing Burrell, Lee reached safely and Jason

Michaels scored the winning run for the Phillies.

"You have to think about plays,'' Burrell said. "I knew that

my run meant nothing, that I just had to eliminate the double play.

I'm not the fastest guy but I just tried to make him tag me and

miss the force.''

Cubs manager Bruce Kimm defended Bellhorn.

"It was a tough play, no use beating up on the kid,'' said

Kimm, who is now 5-3 since taking over as manager on July 6. "He

just made the wrong decision but he's made a lot of real good

ones.''

The drawn-in infield was set up for the double play if the ball

was hit hard but Kimm added that if was a soft grounder the play

was to home. But Bellhorn went with his instinct.

"The natural reaction when you see a guy running is to tag

him,'' said Bellhorn, who is playing in his first full season in

the majors. "I made a mistake but I'll learn from it.''

Jose Mesa (3-5) pitched a perfect 10th for the win.

The Phillies tied the game at 3 in the ninth on a two-run double

by Mike Lieberthal against Cubs closer Antonio Alfonseca. Burrell's

leadoff double chased Cubs starter Kerry Wood.

After Lee popped out and Scott Rolen walked, Lieberthal doubled

to center to score two. It was Alfonseca's fourth blown save in 16

chances.

"Once in a while you have one of those games,'' Kimm said.

"Most times he'll get three outs.''

Burrell, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, was also part of a

bizarre fifth inning that saw the Cubs break open a 1-1 game.

With one out, Bill Mueller knocked a popup to shallow left field

that Burrell lost in the sky over the top of the stadium, leading

to a double.

After Sammy Sosa walked, Fred McGriff also hit a high fly that

Burrell could not find, scoring Mueller. Burrell's throw to third

to try to get Sosa bounced away allowing Sosa to score all the way

from first.

"I've lost balls in the sun and in the lights but never like

that,'' Burrell said. "Two minutes later it would be fine but, at

that time, when it goes up over the stadium, it's like a ghost.

It's a phantom ball.''

Wood allowed five hits, struck out six and walked one in

eight-plus innings. After Burrell homered to lead off the fourth,

Wood allowed just one hit and retired 15 of 17 until Burrell's

double in the ninth.

Robert Person gave up three runs, four hits and a career-worst

eight walks in 5 2-3 innings. It was the 12th time in 15 starts

this season that he has failed to pitch beyond the sixth inning.

Person threw just 54 strikes in 115 pitches.

Person was lifted in the sixth after walking the bases loaded

with two outs. Hector Mercado came in and got McGriff to ground

out.

Todd Hundley homered in the second to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Burrell's 25th homer, on a 3-2 count, came after the previous

pitch sailed over his head.

The Phillies had the bases loaded with nobody out in the second

inning but Lieberthal flew out and Marlon Anderson and Person

struck out to end the inning.

Game notes

Jeremy Giambi was the leadoff batter for the Phillies, the

first time he has hit there since joining the club on May 25. He

had been Oakland's leadoff hitter before the trade. ... All nine of

Hundley's homers have come left-handed. ... Moises Alou is now 1-for-16 against Person in his career. ... Sosa is 10-for-48 in his

last 13 games.