Daulton

PHILADELPHIA -- There was no doubt about the key play in the Philadelphia Phillies' 2-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series last night.It came in the eighth inning, when the Blue Jays had their best chance to chase Curt Schilling and take charge of the game. The stage was set by a pair of ground-ball singles, by Pat Borders and pinch hitter Rob Butler, putting runners on first and third with nobody out.That brought Rickey Henderson to the plate for the most crucial at-bat of the game for Schilling.

Astros: In its opening nine-game homestand, Houston didn't come close to meeting its expectations for attendance. Owner Drayton McLane's goal is to average 30,000 and draw at least 2.5 million fans this season -- otherwise, he says he may move the team. The Astros are averaging 20,027.Braves: Greg Maddux hadn't lost on the road in the regular season since a 7-2 setback to Montreal on June 27, 1994. He then went 18-0 in his next 20 road starts with a 0.99 ERA.Cardinals: Ozzie Smith was placed on the 15-day DL, three days after the 41-year-old shortstop aggravated a hamstring injury in his first start of the season.

BaseballAthletics: Placed OF George Williams (sore right arm) on 15-day DL. Optioned P Tim Kubinski to Triple-A Edmonton. Recalled P Izzy Molina and OF Ernie Young from Edmonton.Braves: Activated C Javy Lopez. Optioned IF Mike Mordecai to Triple-A Richmond.Cubs: Optioned C Mike Hubbard to Triple-A Iowa.Marlins: Activated OF-1B Darren Daulton. Designated P Matt Whisenant for assignment.Reds: Recalled OF Reggie Sanders from rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him to roster. Designated IF Jeff Branson for assignment.

PHILADELPHIA -- Mariano Duncan continues to give health a bad name.Take two triples and call me in the morning . . .Since he was summoned, sick as a dog, from the clubhouse Saturday night after Kim Batiste pulled his hamstring, Duncan has done nothing but hit.A double, a single and a run batted in after being pressed into service. Four hits, including a homer and two RBI, Sunday. Two triples, a single and three RBI Monday night to extend his hitting streak to 12 games as the Phillies ventured into Never-Never Land with a 7-5 win over the Astros at Veterans Stadium.

TORONTO -- Forget about the bluster and blubber. It's time to talk about home runs instead of haircuts, fastballs instead of the fast lane, screwballs instead of . . . well, screwballs.For the Philadelphia Phillies, a.k.a. The Gang, The Wild Bunch and the Broad Street Bellies, it's been a fun ride to the World Series. But the time has come for appearance to give way to ability, for substance to replace image.Enough of the fun, on to the games.Despite what you may have heard or read, with one nameless but recognizable exception, the Phillies are not fat. And regardless of what you've been led to believe, Wild Thing is singular, not plural.

BaseballOrioles -- Recalled P Joe Borowski from Triple-A Rochester.Boston Red Sox -- Activated P Zane Smith from 15-day DL. Designated IF Juan Bell for assignment.Chicago White Sox -- Purchased the contract of OF Mike Cameron from Double-A Birmingham.Florida Marlins -- Recalled P Marc Valdez from Triple-A Charlotte.Montreal Expos -- Recalled P Kirk Rueter and IF Mark Grudzielanek from Triple-A Ottawa.Oakland Athletics -- Activated 1B Mark McGwire from 15-day DL. Optioned P John Wasdin to Triple-A Edmonton.

Any time they play an All-Star Game and John Kruk is hitting cleanup, you know this has become a very crazy world.And any time they play an All-Star Game and the starting pitcher and the starting catcher are both Phillies -- for the second time in history -- you know this is a different kind of baseball season.Phillies mania officially has taken over the baseball world.It must have. Because how else can it be that last night's All-Star Game had three Phillies in the National League lineup?

Baseball Detroit Tigers -- Activated OF Lloyd Moseby off the DL; recalled Mike Munoz from Class AAA Toledo; placed P Jerry Don Gleaton (shoulder) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 11; optioned P Mike Dalton to Toledo.Kansas City Royals -- Placed P Mark Davis on the 15-day DL. Recalled P Hector Wagner from Class AAA Omaha.Philadelphia Phillies -- Reactivated C Darren Daulton from thDL; sent C Darrin Fletcher to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Toronto Blue Jays -- Sent RHP Willie Fraser and LHP Ken Dayle(inner ear)

TORONTO -- It was almost as if this one was scripted by the gods of misadventures.In one of the most storied World Series ever played, the Toronto Blue Jays staged one of the most remarkable turnarounds in history here last night. In the process, they beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-6, to become the first team in 15 years to win back-to-back championships.A three-run home run by Joe Carter with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning off Mitch Williams, the Phillies' erratic closer, carried the Blue Jays to their dramatic victory.

First baseIndians: Jim Thome. Hit 40 homers and drove in 102 runs in regular season, but powerless in postseason, batting just .138 with one RBI. Will take a walk and will bunt, if needed. A shaky third baseman in the 1995 World Series, has improved defensely since moving to first.Marlins: Jeff Conine and Darren Daulton. Conine, the only starter left from Florida's first game in 1993, has not hit as expected the entire year. He fields better than Daulton, a left-handed hitter acquired from Phillies in midseason.