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Howard, Werth lift Phillies past Padres

Aug 26, 2007 - 9:24 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth each drove in four runs and rookie righthander Kyle Kendrick kept his unbeaten streak intact as the Philadelphia Phillies pounded the San Diego Padres, 14-2, on Sunday.

Howard belted a three-run home run, his 34th of the season, in the second inning to stake the Phillies to a 6-0 lead.

It was Howard's second career homer off San Diego starter Tim Stauffer (0-1), who was called up from Class AAA Portland prior to the game.

"He was moving the ball in and out," Howard said of Stauffer. "He just left that one up a little bit."

Stauffer's stay was not long - but it certainly was painful - as he left the game after allowing 11 runs and 11 hits in four innings. Stauffer also surrendered a three-run blast to Phillies catcher Chris Coste in the fourth.

"Coste's HR was a back breaker," Padres' manager Bud Black said. "Tim just couldn't keep them at bay. A couple of situations where he couldn't make the pitch he needed."

As for Werth, he had a career day. He followed his two-run single in the first inning with RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings. Werth finished the day 5-for-5, raising his average from .270 to .294.

"The more at-bats I get, the more productive I'll be." Werth said. "Getting a chance to play every day is a big part of it."

Kendrick celebrated his 23rd birthday by notching his first career victory against the San Diego Padres.

"This is the present I wanted to get, a win for the Phillies," Kendrick said. "I just concentrated on doing what I do, and not change anything."

Kendrick (7-3), who has not lost in his last seven outings, allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He struck out four before giving way to John Ennis, who gave up an RBI double to Geoff Blum.

Ennis settled down to pitch to the final three innings to pick up his first save this season.

"I was glad to go out there and get to pitch a little bit," Ennis said.

Philadelphia is now 6-2 at home on Sundays this season, 40-11 since Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004.

Chase Utley watched the game in uniform from the Phillies dugout, and is expected to be activated from the disabled list in time for Monday night's game against the New York Mets.

Philadelphia (67-62) pulled within three games of San Diego (70-59) in the National League wild card race.