Howard's Slam, 6 RBIs, Lead Phillies Over Mets
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Ryan Howard hit two homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs to back rookie fill-in Vance Worley and lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-3 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.
Howard launched a two-run shot into the second deck in right field off starter Mike Pelfrey in the fourth inning to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. After making contact, Howard dropped his bat and stared in admiration for a couple of seconds at the 427-foot drive before trotting around the bases.
The big slugger is batting .412 (14 for 34) with three homers and six RBIs against Pelfrey.
With the Phillies up 4-0 in the sixth, Howard cleared the bases with his 10th career slam. He connected on a 2-2 pitch from Dillon Gee and sent the ball very high and just over the fence in right-center for his 26th career multihomer game.
The two home runs tied Howard with Del Ennis for second place on Philadelphia's career list with 259, trailing Mike Schmidt's 548.
Howard came up in the seventh with the bases loaded again but struck out with a hefty swing against left-hander Tim Byrdak. The six RBIs upped Howard's total this month to 27, setting a franchise record for April.
The Phillies took a 4-0 lead in the fifth, ending Pelfrey's night.
Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco opened the inning with singles. One out later, Pelfrey (1-3) hit Howard on the wrist with a pitch, drawing a glare from the Philadelphia first baseman. Ben Francisco followed with a two-run single to left.
Francisco's hit finished Pelfrey, who lost 10 pounds recently while fighting the flu. He allowed four runs and eight hits, striking out one and walking three.
Pelfrey is winless in his last seven road starts and is 1-3 with a 9.38 ERA in seven career starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Worley (1-0), called up to replace injured starter Joe Blanton (elbow), allowed just two hits while striking out five and walking four in six scoreless innings. It was his second major league win in six appearances, including three starts.
All five of the right-hander's strikeouts were called. He also singled in the third for his first major league hit.
Blanton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday and will begin throwing in two or three days, general manager Ruben Amaro said.
Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez went 0 for 4 and is hitless in his last 30 at-bats.
Polanco's two-run single in the seventh gave him 39 hits this month, surpassing Chase Utley's club record for April set in 2008.
The Mets got all their runs in the ninth off David Herndon. Ike Davis hit a solo homer, giving him a hit in 11 straight games. Davis is batting .462 (18 for 39) during the streak.
Two batters later, Jason Pridie hit a two-run homer.
Daniel Murphy and David Wright had the Mets' other hits.
The Phillies snapped a 69-inning errorless streak in the first on third baseman Polanco's throwing miscue. One batter later, shortstop Jimmy Rollins booted Wright's grounder for another error.
NOTES: The Mets activated catcher Ronny Paulino from the 15-day disabled list and optioned catcher Mike Nickeas to Triple-A Buffalo. ... Philadelphia sent left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled catcher Dane Sardinha. Phillies starting catcher Carlos Ruiz is day-to-day with a back injury. ... According to Amaro, Phillies closer Brad Lidge (rotator cuff strain) has been cleared to begin throwing, left-handed reliever J.C. Romero (right calf sprain) likely will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, right-handed reliever Jose Contreras (elbow) likely will begin throwing May 5 and Utley (knee) is progressing but there is no timetable for his return. ... Mets pitchers combined to hit four Phillies batters.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
