World Series Notebook -- Blue Jays' Alomar Shows Off Defensively With Diving Catch

TORONTO - Roberto Alomar reminded everyone of his great-glove, great-bat reputation when he saved a huge run while knocking in two in Toronto's 8-5 victory over Philadelphia last night at SkyDome in the opening game of the 90th World Series.

Phillies' Manager Jim Fregosi summarized Alomar's stellar play in one sentence.

"He's a heck of a second baseman," Fregosi said.

Alomar's main gem opened the fifth inning. With the score knotted 3-3, Lenny Dykstra hit a looper directly over the head of John Olerud. The first baseman began to retreat, stumbled slightly, and quickly realized he had no chance to make a play or even come close.

With virtually any other second baseman in the American League, Dykstra would have been standing at second with a leadoff double. Not with Alomar. He raced toward the line, then made a desperate, perfectly-timed lunge for the ball. He was fully extended when he snared it to the joyous disbelief of 52,011 spectators - and Olerud.

"I turned the wrong way. I just couldn't get it," Olerud said. "I turned around and saw Robbie diving for it. It was a great play."

Even Alomar was stunned by his acrobatic grab.

"When I went for the ball, I thought I had no chance," he said. "But as I got closer and closer, I thought I had a chance and I caught the ball."

That proved to be a run-saving catch because Mariano Duncan followed with a triple and scored on Juan Guzman's wild pitch, giving Philadelphia a 4-3 edge.

LEITER A PEN PAL

Toronto Manager Cito Gaston wasn't sure what Al Leiter's role in the World Series would be. After Game 1, he knows.

There was some speculation that Leiter might start Game 4 because he is a left-hander, and the Phillies have a tougher time against southpaws. But Leiter relieved Juan Guzman after five innings last night and ended up the winning pitcher as the Blue Jays beat Philadelphia 8-5.

Leiter gave up no runs and four hits in 2 1/3 innings before Duane Ward relieved in the eighth and finished for the save.

During the season, Leiter was 9-6 with a 4.11 ERA. He appeared in two games during the playoffs.

THE SECOND WILD THING?

Guzman threw another wild pitch last night. He had three in the first game of the AL playoffs and set a major-league record with 26 this season, breaking Jack Morris' mark of 24. The wild pitch last night resulted in a run in the fifth inning.

NOTES

-- The Blue Jays have allowed 17 steals by the opposition in 20 attempts during the World Series.

------------ WORLD SERIES ------------

TORONTO VS. PHILADELPHIA

Best-of-seven series

(Toronto leads 1-0)

Site Winner

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1 Toronto Blue Jays, 8-5

Day Site Time

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2 Today Toronto 5:29 p.m.

Mulholland (12-10) vs. Stewart (14-8)

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3 Tuesday Philadelphia 5:12 p.m.

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4 Wednesday Philadelphia 5:12 p.m.

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5 Thursday (1) Philadelphia 5:12 p.m.

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6 Saturday (1) Toronto 5:12 p.m.

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7 Sunday (1) Toronto 5:29 p.m.

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(1) If necessary.

TV: Games on KIRO (Channel 7). Radio: Games on KIRO (710 AM). Note: Records are overall for 1993.