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

Jun 28, 2009 - 10:13 PM TORONTO(AP) -- Brad Lidge's knee and Philadelphia's bullpen each faced a big test Sunday. Both came through successfully.

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 Phillies held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Sunday afternoon.

Activated off the disabled list last week after being out since June 9 with a sprained right knee, Lidge had to move quickly when Blue Jays catcher Raul Chavez bunted to begin the ninth, reaching safely when Lidge's throw pulled Ryan Howard off first base.

"They probably know why I came off the DL and they tried to test it," Lidge said. "Unfortunately he laid a perfect bunt down, too. I was able to get to it and grab the ball and throw it and no damage. I walked around the mound just to take inventory, make sure everything felt all right, and it did. That was huge for me."

John McDonald ran for Chavez and Lidge walked Marco Scutaro. But he got Aaron Hill to pop out, then tested his knee again by spinning off the rubber and catching McDonald in a rundown between second and third.

"I kind of thought if there was something I would feel it on, it would be those (fielding plays)," Lidge said. "I didn't and thank goodness."

A subdued McDonald said he broke too soon after getting the steal sign.

"I was watching (Lidge's) tendencies and thought I was getting a good break and might be able to steal a base," McDonald said. "I felt like I was making a quality judgment."

Two pitches later, Lidge got Vernon Wells to ground out, giving him his 14th save in 20 chances.

"At the end there, we were hanging on for dear life but it worked out," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Lidge said having full strength in his knee made him feel he had "control of the game."

"Being able to use my back leg and drive off that really helped my fastball stay on line," Lidge said. "That's the biggest thing for me, being able to throw that pitch and being able to locate it better."

Following two perfect innings from Chan Ho Park, the Phillies gave the ball to Ryan Madson and survived a scare in the eighth. A single, an error and a two-out intentional walk loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Russ Adams, who popped out.

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.

"Probably the brightest side for me was go out in the fourth and put up a zero after we came back and scored some runs," Moyer said.

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 has a career-high 19 home runs this season to break the Blue Jays record for homers by a second baseman that he shared with Roberto Alomar. Alomar hit 17 in 1993 and Hill tied the mark in 2007.

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.

Philadelphia outfielder Jayson Werth had one hit and four walks and has reached safely in 10 straight plate appearances.

Notes: Phillies LHP Antonio Bastardo (strained shoulder) will miss his next start. 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. ... SS Eric Bruntlett's 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.