The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 38

FTRST C2 SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 THE MORNING CALL wakeupCALL FaEce towar tliira injures Rollins in in 9 9 WW no Intention of leaving Real Madrid. A BUC MOUTH The Buccaneers' Warren Sapp on the virtues of the Eagles' home: "Philadelphia Is one of those ignorant towns where It's either we win or nobody wins. Either we beat you or we beat you. Either we beat you on the field or we're going to fight you in the stands. That's just what that city is." TRIVIA TIME Who was the last player to win the British Open leading wire-to-wire? FREE AGENT MARKET CLOSED There was raging discontent in the streets of Toronto on Wednesday.

Well, just kidding. Fans were summoned to protest the Maple Leafs' inaction the bustling free-agent mar-; ket, and about 25 showed up. "Some of us weren't even "born when the Leafs won their last Stanley Cup and all we have to do now is listen to our dads talk about 1967," said Kulvinder Roschan, 25, to the Toronto Star. SOURCE: GARCIA There Is Associated Press, Reuters and Sergio Garcia. The Spanish golfer apparently broke the news when he revealed that his buddy Steve McManaman could be leaving Real Madrid.

"I think Steve is talking to Arsenal," Garcia told reporters. The Macca high-speed sports wire denied such a move back to England, telling the Spanish sports publication As, that he has catch Michael Barrett at the plate with two outs in the ninth inning to preserve a 2-2 tie was his best ever. "I've made some diving catches of pop-ups and bunts and I dove into first a few times to get guys," he said. "But nothing like that, with an open glove to get a guy at the plate with the game on the line." Interestingly, Cormier thought the Endy Chavez dribbler was foul. "I saw the umpire Larry Vanover make a signal," Cormier said.

"I thought it was foul, so I let up a little. Then I figured I had better make the play and find out what his decision was later. I knew if I made the right throw I'd get him. It was just a matter of execution." Disa 'n data: An Alumni Batting Challenge pitting Darren Daulton, Danny Jackson, Mariano Duncan and Pete Incaviglia against Jim Eisenre-ich, Mitch Williams, Tommy Greene and Milt Thompson will be held at 6:20 p.m. tonight.

Autographed memorabilia from members of the 1993 Phillies pennant-winning team and current stars like Jim Thome, Randy Wolf, Kevin Millwood, Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu wul be available at a silent auction that will be held during tonight's game with MontreaL The wives will also be celebrating "Christmas in July" this Sunday. Fans are asked to bring a new or unused and unwrapped toy for collection at Gates and from JJL30 a.m. until the top of the fourth inning. The first 500 fans to donate a toy will receive an autographed photo card of a Phillies player. in the BLEACHERS A sore hamstring left over from spring training is the problem.

By Don Bostrom Of The Morning Call PHILADELPHIA The cranky left hamstring that has been bothering shortstop Jimmy Rollins since spring training finally gave out Thursday night. Rollins aggravated the hamstring braking after running toward third on a 3-1 pitch to Ricky Ledee in the ninth inning. "That's when I first felt it," Rollins said "I told Vuke third base coach John Vukovich 'I don't know how much I can give He told me not to take a chance. I could have stolen third. Pitcher Julio Manon was slow to the plate and I knew their signs.

But to go would have been stupid." Rollins cautiously remained in the game and when manager Larry Bowa asked if he could hit in the 11th, he said yes. Rollins gingerly made it to second on a leadoff double. "It worked out perfectly because I was immediately in scoring position and then they put the fast guy Nick Punto in," Rollins laughed. As things turned out, Rollins could have stayed in and crawled home on Marlon By-rd's game-winning, three-run home run. Rollins sat out Friday's game and may take it easy a few more days to let the injury quiet.

"It feels a whole lot better," Rollins said. "I iced it all night PHILLIES FROM PAGE Expos' Vazquez outduels Phils' Wolf Star break. Wagner and I are the same size. He has a thunderbolt and I don't." Wolf did have one of his best heaters of the season, though, a big reason he was able to whiff eight to move into sixth place in the Nation-, al League with 114 punchouts. "Strikeouts are a double- (he'sdoum! 3 Gregory Bull Associated Press file photo been doing much base stealing stolen only Tl bases this season.

two weeks ago I started feeling it and then in New York last weekend it was kind of barking." Rollins took massages during the All-Star break but it flared up again Thursday. "Hamstring injuries never really go away because they are in muscles that get strained and tested," he said. "There's all that torque on your first step that puts a lot of stress on it." Manager Larry Bowa doesn't think Rollins will have to go on the disabled list. Web gem: Rheal Cormier has appeared in 446 games in his 11-year major league car reer. Cormier thinks the defensive play he made Thursday to vent further scoring by recording three consecutive infield outs, including two nifty defensive plays of his own.

A promising Phillies rally fizzled in the sixth when rampaging Marlon Byrd (2-for-4, 16-for-38 in the leadoff spot) led off with a double only to be doubled up when Vazquez caught a poor Placido Polanco bunt and then fired to second for a force out. "Placido was on his own and could do whatever he wanted to move the runner," manager Larry Bowa said. "He chose the bunt. Unfortunately, Marlon got a little too far off the base. You can't fault him for being too aggressive, although he already was in scoring position." MWw.ucomics.com Jet wakeboarding.

MOUTH off Berkshire blasts the Ambassadors ZL6X uioi momsuv Wakeup Call is a collection of observations from sports figures and writers worldwide. Prm Syndicate 7-4 Fest and particularly appreciate the hard work of Gene Jani and Dan Waelchli who were outstanding representatives of your fine city and work very hard to give the people of Allentown an opportunity to see some outstanding baseball in addition to the other sports that athletes participate in the SportsFest. Larry from Manassas, Va. OVERPAID ATHLETES I just had to write after seeing the totally ridiculous salaries the pro basketball players have been signing or getting offered. Tim Duncan: seven years, $122 million, Allen Iverson offered six years, $102 million.

I wasn't a math major but some quick calculations and I figured Duncan will get approximately $212,000.00 per game. Al a measely $207,000.00 per game. I started thinking, I have a decent job, but I need to work over four years to earn what these guys make in one game. Also after one game played they could buy my modest two-story home plus a Mercedes and still have some pocket change left over. I play basketball on Sunday mornings with friends for FUN! Imagine that.

Bob from Lehigh Valley To Mouth Off on sports, call us at 610-820-6188, e-mail us at sportsmcall.com, go to mcall.com and click on the Mouth Off icon, fax us at 610-820-8654, or write us at Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105. When you "Mouth Off," you speak for yourself only and should not attempt to convey the opinions of others. Published comments are submitted anonymously and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Morning Call. THIS WEEK'S RESULTS Who will win the 2003 British Open? field 142.7 133.8 15.8 total responses Gary VisgutK Tte Morning Call THE PHILLIES' JIMMY ROLLINS hasn't because of a sore hamstring. He has PHILLIES NOTEBOOK when I got home, then I came in and got it rubbed and stretched.

I'll put a strap on it tomorrow and see how it feels. I'm not going to be stupid when we have a guy that can be out there at 100 percent." Rollins admits, except for a two-week window and occasional days here and there, he hasn't been 100 percent all season. That's a big reason he's only been successful on 11 of 20 stolen base attempts. "This is the same area that has been troubling me since spring training," Rollins said. "It got well for a bit, but then edged sword," Wolf said.

"It raises your pitch count. That's one reason I was gone after 108 pitches even though I felt strong enough to throw 200 pitches." Wolf gave up a quick run when All-Star Jose Vidro singled and Orlando Cabrera doubled him home in the first. Bobby Abreu tied the game with a solo homer off Vazquez in the fourth inning. The blast tied Abreu with Darren Daulton for fifth place on the all-time Veterans Stadium home run list at 67. Montreal scored the winning run in the sixth when Wil Cordero and Joe Vitiello singled and Michael Barrett doubled to start the frame.

Wolf settled down to pre MINOR LEAGUES Braves 6, Red Barons At Richmond, Wilson Betemit knocked in four runs and Chris Fussell scuffled through six innings Friday night as the Braves defeated Scranton Wilkes-Barre in the International League. The Braves won their fourth consecutive game, their longest streak since late May. Betemit had a two-run Wei, LANCE ARMSTRONG has 4 seconds stage of the Tour de France. It did backward," a flush-faced Armstrong said. Temperatures in the shade reached 97 and were far worse in the sun.

"Perhaps it was too hot for me," Armstrong said. "I don't know. I suffered." Armstrong lamented running out of water before the final climb to the finish line, set on a rocky outcrop that was once a carbon mine but later turned into a theme park. "It's the thirstiest I've ever been in a time trial, right from the beginning for some odd reason," he said. Ullrich, however, was absolutely buoyant.

to LOVE THE COMMERCIALS, HATE THE SHOW After watching ESPN on Wednesday night, I think it's safe to say that the best part about the annual ESPY Awards were the promotional commercials. The ceremony, which was originally intended to reward athletes and fans alike, seems to have turned into a lengthy free-for-all, complete with awkward pauses, bad music and humor, and infinite references to LeBron James. Ty from Northampton A FAN OF ALLENTOWN'S Last weekend, we traveled to Allentown to participate in the Allentown SportsFest. Allentown did an exceptional job of hosting these many different sporting events and we were glad we made the trip from Virginia. ji However, I couldn't help but wonder if basketball is the only important sport to the SportsFest.

It appeared to be the most covered sport, and was always given top billing. My team won 'the baseball tournament, and we faced very strong competition for the championship. We played on two very nice fields, but I know that Bicentennial Park would have been a great for all of the tournmanet to have been held. If the tournament was held at this one location, it would allow more opportunities for people attending the event to see baseball games, in addition to the other sports. We truly did have a great time at the Allentown Sports The Phillies almost tied it in the seventh when they collected three hits, but Mike Lieberthal was thrown out at the plate by left-fielder Brad Wilkerson, who had just been inserted as a defensive replacement, trying to score on a two-out Tomas Perez hit.

The Expos picked up a key insurance run against reliever Turk Wendell when Vazquez drew a two-out walk and scored on hits by Jamey Carroll and Vidro. Vazquez upped his career record against the Phillies to 9-4 with his first complete game of the season and first win in his last seven outings. donald.bostrommcall.com 610-820-6506 423 innings with four scoring. OTHER NEWS Ams trade Singletary: The Allentown Ambassadors traded Dan Singletary to Amarillo of the Central League for fu-, ture considerations Thursday. The move was made right before the Ambassadors' game with the Elmira Pioneers and cleared a roster spot for the Ambassadors to re-sign pitcher Reed Harvey.

kom, who placed third, 2:06 behind. The Kazak mountain specialist, who had been the nearest rival until Friday, trails by 51 seconds overall. Armstrong was not the only exhausted rider. Immediately after crossing the finish line in fifth place, American Tyler Hamilton competing with a broken collarbone stumbled off his bike, lurched forward and vomited. Hamilton was injured during a mass crash July 6 but -persevered through the pain to carry orL The Team CSC rider is fourth overall, 2:59 behind the leader.

Since he won his first Tour in 1999, Armstrong has won six of eight individual time trials. Aside from Friday's race, his only other loss in the time trial came last year. Talk of his vulnerability has dominated this race. And his latest performance provides a psychological lift to his opponents, who now see victory well within their grasp. "It's a very difficult day," Armstrong said.

Armstrong is trying to join Spain's Miguel Indurain as the only cyclist to win five straight titles. Three others have won cycling's showcase event live times but not consecutively Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. i1 homer in the first and a two-run triple in the fifth in setting a personal high for RBIs as a Richmond Brave. Adam LaRoche singled to drive Betemit home in the fifth, and Nick Green had a RBI double in the sixth. Fussell allowed 10 base runners in six innings, but the Red Barons could only score an unearned run in the first.

Meanwhile, Red Barons starter Aaron Myette (0-2) allowed five base runners in Christophc Ena Associated Press go before starting the 12th not go well 'I he said. "From the start I never thought I could win this time trial," he said, sweat dripping from his face. "I got my old rhythm back. I didn't expect this victory myself." "I have never beaten Armstrong in a time trial in the Tour before, and I did it now, in my comeback year," he added. More bad news for Armstrong: Ullrich tends to grow stronger as the race enters its final eight stages, four of those in the Pyrenees.

Armstrong did slightly widen his lead over Alexandre Vinokourov of Team Tele From staff and wire reports The Allentown Ambassadors fell behind 4-0 after two innings and never recovered, losing 7-1 to the Berkshire Black Bears Friday night in Pittsfield, Mass. The Ams scored their only run of the game in fifth inning on a Berkshire fielding error. The loss drops the Ams to 2-6 in the second half of the season and into last place behind Berkshire. FRANCE FROM PAGE Armstrong exhausted after time trial Armstrong did extend his overall lead from 21 seconds to 34, but he had been counting heavily on using this stage to distance himself from the field. Instead, Ullrich is lurking.

Ullrich, a 1997 Tour winner and twice runner-up to Armstrong, powered across the 29 miles of rolling vineyards in 58 minutes, 32 seconds to take the Tour's 12th stage. He was the only rider of 167 to finish in less than an hour. Ullrich, of Team Bianchi, shaved more than li minutes from Armstrong's lead as the Tour enters the lung-wrenching Pyrenees. "Now he's the big favorite," Armstrong said. Armstrong looked stunned when he ascended the podium to accept the leader's yellow jersey.

Afterward, he seemed spent physically and emotionally. "I had an incredible crisis. I felt like I was pedaling NUMBERS game Rest of the Number of games started by Ken Griffey Jr. in four years with the Reds. Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Ernie Els Note: 234 The results at right reflect the question that was on www.mcall.com and not the question that appeared in tht newspaper..