Browning Misses Perfect Game, Settles for 2-1 Win Over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA —  Tom Browning came within three outs of becoming the first major leaguer to pitch two perfect games in a career before Dickie Thon doubled leading off the ninth inning as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, Tuesday night.

Thon hit a drive to right-center field that went to the wall. One out later, pinch-hitter Steve Jeltz singled to score Thon and chase Browning (7-6). John Franco got the last two outs for his 22nd save.

Browning pitched a perfect game last Sept. 16 against the Dodgers at Cincinnati. He missed another no-hitter this season when San Diego’s Tony Gwynn singled with one out in the ninth on June 6.

For eight innings, the Reds had only two tough plays to make on defense.

In the first, third baseman Lenny Harris dove to his left and gloved Tom Herr’s smash, straightened up and threw out the runner.

At the start of the third, on Browning’s only 3-2 count, Len Dykstra hit a line drive that first baseman Todd Benzinger speared.

Browning contributed a fine defensive play of his own in the fourth inning, when he caught a smash by Dykstra that appeared headed for center field.

The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the first with the help of a pair of walks off Terry Mulholland (1-3). Harris led off with a walk and scored on Kal Daniels’ double, Daniels taking third on the throw home. One out later, Eric Davis walked and Paul O’Neill hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Daniels.

On May 2 last season, Ron Robinson of the Reds was one out away from a perfect game against Montreal. Wallace Johnson broke that up with a pinch single.