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Victorino, Utley pace Phillies back into first place

Baseball Betting Lines

07/30/2008 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shane Victorino homered and finished with three hits, three RBI and three runs scored to lift Philadelphia over Washington, 8-5, in the second installment of a three-game set at Nationals Park.

For the second straight night, Chase Utley blasted a two-run homer for the Phillies, who won their fourth straight game. Philadelphia moved into first place in the National League East by a half-game over New York due to a Mets' loss at Florida Wednesday night.

Willie Harris homered en route to a team-high three hits for the Nationals, who dropped their eighth straight contest. Jesus Flores added a two-run homer in defeat.

Jamie Moyer (10-6) earned the 240th win of his career after yielding three runs on six hits and three walks. The ageless southpaw, who will turn 46 in November, also tallied five strikeouts as he improved to 8-4 in 17 starts against Washington. Moyer's 240 victories are tied with Frank Tanana for 12th place all-time among left-handers.

"He (Moyer) did a good job, he's done a good job all year," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel. "He makes his pitches and he gets people out."

Tim Redding (7-6) lost his third straight start after getting tagged for seven runs on ten hits and one walk in only four-plus innings. The journeyman right- hander also struck out one in his third start versus Philadelphia this season.

The Phillies trailed 3-2, but posted a five spot in the fifth inning and they never looked back. Carlos Ruiz led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a walk to Moyer. Jimmy Rollins then drove in Ruiz with a double to right before he scored himself behind Moyer on a base hit by Victorino. Utley then homered to center to bring Victorino around, chase Redding from the game and give the Phils a 7-3 advantage.

"We were able to get some hits at the right moment," said Manuel.

Victorino smacked a solo homer in the seventh, but the Nationals came back with two in the bottom of the frame. Pete Orr reached on a fielder's choice, raced to third thanks to a Harris double, and came around when Lastings Milledge grounded out to Rollins. The Phils appeared to be out of the inning, but Jayson Werth lost his footing in left field on a ball hit by Ryan Zimmerman, which turned into a ground-rule double plating Harris.

Brad Lidge, who pitched in his fifth straight game, recorded his 26th save after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth.

The Phils opened the scoring right away with two runs on four straight hits in the first inning. With one out, Victorino, Utley and Ryan Howard all singled to load the bases for Pat Burrell, who followed with a two-run single.

The Nationals responded with three runs in the bottom half. On the first pitch that Moyer threw, Harris belted his eighth homer of the season. Then with two outs in the frame, Flores gave the Nationals a one-run edge via a two-run homer to left that also plated Austin Kearns, who reached on a double.

Game Notes

It was the first time all season the Nationals started the game with a homer...Burrell collected his league-leading 11th assist when he threw out Flores at second in the sixth inning...Victorino extended his hit streak to 10 games...The three runs Washington scored in the first inning was as many runs as the Nationals scored in the previous five games.