Moyer wins 2nd straight, Phillies edge Toronto 5-4

[June 29, 2009]  TORONTO (AP) -- Chase Utley hit a two-run triple, Jamie Moyer won back-to-back starts for the first time in more than two months and the Philadelphia Phillies held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Sunday afternoon.

Moyer (6-6) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings to win consecutive starts for the first time since April 21 and 26. He won just one of his following nine starts before beating Tampa Bay last Tuesday.

Chan Ho Park pitched two perfect innings before the Blue Jays threatened in the eighth against Ryan Madson. A single, an error and a two-out intentional walk loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Russ Adams, who popped out.

There was more drama in the ninth, when Raul Chavez led off with a bunt single against Brad Lidge and was replaced by pinch runner John McDonald. Lidge walked Marco Scutaro but Aaron Hill popped out and McDonald was caught in a rundown for the second out. Two pitches later, Vernon Wells grounded out, giving Lidge his 14th save in 20 chances.

Utley went 2 for 4 with a walk as the Phillies won a series for the first time since taking two of three from the New York Mets on June 9-11. Philadelphia had lost four straight series and has won just four of its past 15 games.

Hill hit two solo homers, giving him his first career multihomer game, and Jose Bautista added a two-run shot for the Blue Jays, who finished interleague play at 7-11.

Hill hit a one-out homer in the first, then opened the third with another blast to left, giving him 19 this season. Hill, whose previous best was 17 in 2007, set a Blue Jays record for homers by a second baseman. Roberto Alomar hit 17 homers for Toronto in 1993.

Ryan Howard gave the Phillies their first run with an RBI grounder in the third and Philadelphia took the lead with a four-run fourth against left-hander Brian Tallet (5-5). Carlos Ruiz hit a bases-loaded fielder's choice, Shane Victorino followed with a sacrifice fly and Utley capped it with a two-out triple to right-center.

Tallet allowed five runs, four earned, and eight hits in six innings. He struck out six but his six walks were a career high.

Toronto's Scott Rolen extended his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games with a double in the third.

NOTES: Phillies LHP Antonio Bastardo (strained shoulder) will miss his next start, the team said. Bastardo, who left in the fifth inning of his last outing, is scheduled to see a doctor in Philadelphia on Monday. No replacement starter has been named for Thursday's game at Atlanta. ... Blue Jays C Rod Barajas, who left Friday's game with a sore hamstring, took batting practice and said he will try to run Monday before deciding whether to go on the DL. "If I'm not able to run by tomorrow it might be smart to do something different," Barajas said. ... Shortstop Eric Bruntlett's fielding error in the eighth was Philadelphia's 28th this season. Toronto (27) has the fewest errors in the majors. ... Blue Jays pitchers matched a season high with nine walks. ... The Phillies went 6-12 in interleague play.

[Associated Press]

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