WASHINGTON — It was 88 degrees when 45-year-old Jamie Moyer's first pitch of the evening was redirected over the out-of-town scoreboard.

Three batters later, he gave up a double. That was followed by another homer.

And then Moyer didn't allow another hit until the fifth inning, by which time his Philadelphia Phillies had provided a big lead. Chase Utley homered for the second consecutive game, the big blow in a five-run fifth, and the Phillies beat Washington, 8-5, last night to move back atop the NL East with their fourth victory in a row.

Maui native Shane Victorino provided three hits, including a solo homer, and three RBIs and three runs to help Moyer (10-6) win his third straight decision. He earned his 240th career victory, tying him with Frank Tanana for 12th place among left-handers in major league history.

Brad Lidge pitched around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 26th save in 26 chances.

Moyer went six innings, allowing three runs — on first-inning homers by Willie Harris and Jesus Flores — and six hits. Harris' shot was Washington's first leadoff homer since May 2007.

"Tough first inning — he got out of it. He settled down," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said of Moyer. "It was real hot tonight. He was definitely getting gassed. He was tired at the end."

But Moyer did exactly what was needed to fool the Nationals after the first inning.

"I know it's a matter of making adjustments and keeping on course and keeping damage to a minimum and go from there," he said.

Here's how Nationals manager Manny Acta described Moyer's effectiveness: "Location, location, location — like real estate, that's what pitching's all about."

Acta's team has lost its last eight games to drop to a major league-worst 38-69.

With the non-waiver trade deadline arriving today, Manuel said he wouldn't mind adding a player for the stretch run.

There's been speculation Victorino might be involved in a swap. He's batting .372 with four homers and nine RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.

"It's probably a coincidence," Victorino said.

CUBS 7, BREWERS 2

Ryan Dempster (12-4) struck out nine and gave up one run and five hits over seven innings, and Ryan Theriot had an RBI triple in a two-run sixth as Chicago handed Milwaukee its fourth straight home loss.

MARLINS 7, METS 5

Josh Johnson (1-0) allowed eight hits and four runs in 6 2/3 innings, Dan Uggla hit a two-run homer in the eighth for a 7-4 lead, and Kevin Gross earned his 23rd save as host Florida held off New York.

CARDINALS 7, BRAVES 2

Chris Carpenter gave up a run and five hits over four innings in his first start since April 2007, and Joe Mather put the game out of reach with a two-run homer in the eighth to lift visiting St. Louis.

ROCKIES 7, PIRATES 4

Aaron Cook (14-6) allowed four runs and nine hits over seven solid innings and Chris Iannetta hit a three-run homer as visiting Colorado beat Pittsburgh to avoid a three-game sweep.

REDS 9, ASTROS 5

Adam Dunn homered twice, and Ken Griffey Jr. added a three-run shot — his 608th moving him within one of Sammy Sosa for fifth all-time — as visiting Cincinnati ended an eight-game losing streak against Houston.

DODGERS 4, GIANTS 0

Chad Billingsley (11-9) pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout, and Matt Kemp scored twice, stole two bases and extended his hitting streak to 17 games as host Los Angeles beat San Francisco.

DIAMONDBACKS 7, PADRES 3

Dan Haren (11-5) gave up a leadoff home run to Jody Gerut, then allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings, and Chad Tracy and Mark Reynolds each drove in two runs to lead visiting Arizona.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ANGELS 9, RED SOX 2

Garret Anderson went 4 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs, Joe Saunders (14-5) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings and visiting Los Angeles completed its second three-game sweep of Boston in the past two weeks.

WHITE SOX 8, TWINS 3

Carlos Quentin had a home run and four RBIs, Alexei Ramirez added a three-run homer and Gavin Floyd (11-6) allowed one run and five hits over 7 2/3 innings as visiting Chicago stretched its Central Division lead over Minnesota to 1 1/2 games.

RAYS 3, BLUE JAYS 2

Carlos Pena homered and Edwin Jackson (7-7) gave up two runs and seven hits in five innings to lead Tampa Bay past Toronto for its fourth win in six road games after losing seven straight away from home.

YANKEES 13, ORIOLES 3

Bobby Abreu hit two homers and had three RBIs, Alex Rodriguez also homered and Joba Chamberlain (4-3) gave up two runs and five hits in six innings as host New York avoided a three-game sweep.

ROYALS 4, ATHLETICS 3

Jose Guillen drove in Esteban German to break a 2-all tie with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning, helping Kansas City complete its first three-game sweep in Oakland in 20 years.

RANGERS 4, MARINERS 3

Josh Hamilton hit his team-leading 25th homer and collected his major league-best 104th RBI, and Michael Young had the go-ahead RBI with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the eighth to lift host Texas.

TIGERS 14, INDIANS 12

Cleveland's Kelly Shoppach had two homers, three doubles and drove in three runs to become the eighth major league player with five extra-base hits in a game, but Detroit scored twice in the top of the 13th inning to win it.