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Utley’s Blast Lifts Phils To Series Win

It was a game the Phillies really needed, and they got it, thanks to their best hitter.

Chase Utley hit a two-run home run in the seventh, breaking a 3-3 tie and ultimately giving the Phils a 6-3 win over the Pirates. With the win and a Mets loss, the Phils are now in first place by two games over the Mets and 2.5 games over the Marlins.

Jamie Moyer surrendered three runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings, a pretty standard outing for Moyer, who lately has been pretty unstoppable. A four-man collective patched up the win with Brad Lidge sitting out with shoulder problems — new pickup Scott Eyre got the win after getting one out.

It was also a patchwork game offensively. Carlos Ruiz had two hits and scored on a crazy, error-filled bunt by Moyer. Jimmy Rollins added an RBI sac fly, and Greg Dobbs knocked an RBI double — yet another pinch hit and pinch-hit RBI by Mr. Hobbs.

Moyer’s start is the fifth consecutive quality start for the Phillies. Suddenly a potent five-man group is building in the rotation; hopefully this stretch will continue, or at least, stay on course.

Associated Press photo

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.