Finally, a Homer by Orioles’ Clark

BALTIMORE — Thanks in part to a home run from an unlikely source, the Baltimore Orioles gave Mike Mussina the chance to work with a comfortable lead.

The ace right-hander responded with one of his best performances of the season.

Mussina pitched a five-hitter for eight innings and Will Clark hit his first homer since last July as the Orioles defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-2, Sunday.

Mike Bordick and Jeff Conine also homered for the Orioles, who took two of three to win a series for the first time since May 23-25.

Baltimore averaged only three runs in Mussina’s first 13 starts, but the Orioles matched that total by the second inning, when Clark drove a 2-and-1 pitch from Andy Ashby over the center-field wall for a 3-1 lead.

“It was one of those swings when you go, ‘Oh, thank goodness,’ ” said Clark, who had only six runs batted in in 114 at-bats before Sunday.

Ashby (2-7) gave up all three Baltimore homers in losing his fourth consecutive decision. He gave up seven runs and 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

That proved to be enough offense for Mussina, who won his third consecutive decision after a 1-6 start. He struck out six and walked one in lowering his earned-run average to 3.73.

Mussina was appreciative of the support. When he took the mound in the eighth, it was the first time he had a six-run cushion to work with.

“We got three runs late, that was big,” he said. “They really hadn’t been taken out of the game until then.”