Consecutive back-to-back winners after Home Run Payoff drought

After a Daily News Home Run Payoff drought dry enough to rival the Sahara desert, the Phillies have now clobbered back-to-back cash-winning homers on consectutive days in our nation's capital.

Monday, it was veterans Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez leading off the fourth inning to earn $1,000 for two lucky Daily News readers.

Last night, it was the youngsters' turn.

Domonic Brown led off the fifth inning by lining a 3-2 pitch into the rightfield stands of Nationals Park. That made a winner of Marye Fuss.

Four pitches later, John Mayberry Jr. launched a 2-1 pitch deep to right-centerfield and Philadelphia's Jason Hammond was suddenly a grand richer.

So, after 155 consecutive Payoff contestants had to settle for Phillies' Gift Packs, cash money went out four times in nine batters.

Hammond was unable to be reached for comment, but Fuss told us that she had her fingers crossed that Brown would pull through.

"I'd like to thank you guys, but I'd like to thank that Domonic Brown, too," said Fuss an "80-something" from Philadelphia. "I was listening on [WPHT 1210-AM] and I heard my name called so I knew he was hitting for me. He had a full count and I was just praying he'd hit the home run - and he did!"

It was the 18th time consecutive batters have hit Payoff homers and the first time that has happened in consecutive games.

There were four other winners last night. Each winning a Phillies Gift Pack were:

Mary Slaon, Philadelphia

Michael McGinnis, Blackwood, N.J.

Alexis Scholes, Newark, Del.

Joe Gagliaroi, Sicklerville, N.J.

To date, the Daily News has paid out $6,500.

You can find a complete list of this year's Home Run Payoff winners at www.philly.com/payoff2011.

Today's coupon is on Page 48. *