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Ibanez plays hero as Phils edge Red Sox

Jun 30, 2011 - 4:18 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - In hindsight, perhaps Boston starter John Lackey should have pitched around Raul Ibanez.

The Philadelphia left fielder clubbed a tiebreaking, solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Phillies edged the Red Sox, 2-1, in the middle test of a three-game interleague series at Citizens Bank Park.

Ibanez entered play a lifetime .352 hitter versus Lackey (5-7). His batting average is higher following a 3-for-3 effort at the plate on Wednesday, including an RBI single in the second.

He didn't toss a shutout like teammate Cliff Lee did in Tuesday's opener, but Vance Worley (3-1) limited the vaunted Boston offense to one run and five hits over a career-high seven innings. He also recorded five strikeouts and walked two.

"I think a game like tonight is great for his confidence," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said of Worley.

The major league-leading Phillies have secured their first series victory against Boston since 2003.

Lackey, who carried a 7.36 ERA into Wednesday's outing, pitched well over 7 2/3 innings, scattering eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He just couldn't figure out a way to retire Ibanez, who led off the seventh with his first home run since May 30, a blast to the right-field seats.

"I thought he threw about as good a breaking ball or better than we've seen," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "I think he felt the same way, got us deep in the game, helped us with his bat. We scored one run. That's a hard way to win."

Michael Stutes tossed a 1-2-3 eighth for Philadelphia and Antonio Bastardo closed the door in the ninth for his third save of the season.

Philadelphia got on the board in the second when Ibanez followed a lead off double by Shane Victorino with a line drive to center field.

"I did try to be more aggressive today and I think that was a contributing factor," Ibanez said.

Boston tied the game in the fifth on its lone extra-base hit, which came from an unlikely source. With a runner on first and two outs, Lackey drilled a run- scoring double to center. It was just the fourth hit and second RBI of the right-hander's career.

Game Notes

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley stole his 100th career base in the sixth...Manuel passed Danny Ozark for third place on the club's all-time managerial wins list with 595. Manuel trails only Harry Wright (636) and Gene Mauch (646)...The Phillies have posted a 15-3 record over their last 18 home games...Boston's Adrian Gonzalez started in right field for the second time in his career, and first since September 30, 2005 with Texas.