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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Phillies power way past Nationals, 5-3


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui, breaks his bat as he grounds out in the third inning.

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSLVALS | AP

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WASHINGTON — No time to celebrate the first 30-homer foursome in Philadelphia Phillies history, or the second good start in a row from Pedro Martinez, or even the end of a four-game losing streak.

There was only one question following last night's 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals: Is Brad Lidge still the closer?

Charlie Manuel wasn't saying for sure, although Lidge seemed to think the job was still his after a postgame meeting between player and manager. The meeting was necessary because — only a few hours after giving Lidge a public vote of confidence — Manuel found himself having to yank Lidge from the game in a ninth in which he retired only one of four batters.

"I'm not saying that he'll close tomorrow, the next day or whatever," Manuel said, "but I look at him as a closer."

Lidge's take: "If there's a save situation tomorrow, he said he was going to bring me in."

The Phillies got all of their runs on five solo homers and became the 12th team in major league history to have four players with 30-homer seasons.

Raul Ibanez went long for his 29th and 30th and Chase Utley hit No. 30, joining Ryan Howard (38) and Jayson Werth in the 30-homer club. Werth hit his 32nd, and Carlos Ruiz got his ninth.

Martinez (4-0) allowed three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. Lidge loaded the bases in the ninth, but Ryan Madson came in and struck out Ryan Zimmerman and got Adam Dunn on a groundout.

CARDINALS 4, BREWERS 3:

Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer off Trevor Hoffman (1-2) in the top of the ninth for visiting St. Louis. Hoffman walked Albert Pujols with one out before serving up a 2-1 pitch that Holliday drove out to center.

PADRES 4, GIANTS 3:

Chase Headley homered and singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth for visiting San Diego. The Giants' Madison Bumgarner made his major league debut in place of Tim Lincecum, who had a sore back.

CUBS 9, PIRATES 4:

Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome had two-run hits in a record-tying first inning for visiting Chicago. Chicago tied a major league record with eight consecutive hits in starting the game with a seven-run inning.

ROCKIES 3, REDS 1:

Jason Marquis scattered four hits over 7 1/3 innings and Eric Young Jr. hit his first major league homer for host Colorado. Marquis (15-10) struck out a season-high seven.

DODGERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4:

Ronnie Belliard hit the last of visiting Los Angeles' five two-out singles in the eighth to break a tie. Arizona tied a franchise record with five double plays.

BRAVES 2, ASTROS 1:

Javier Vazquez (12-9) struck out nine in seven shutout innings for visiting Atlanta. Adam LaRoche and Nate McLouth hit solo homers for Atlanta.

MARLINS 4, METS 2:

Hanley Ramirez and Cameron Maybin hit long two-run homers for visiting Florida. Brian Sanches (4-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.