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Howard's four-hit night powers Phillies to another win

Sep 22, 2007 - 3:40 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Ryan Howard had four hits and two RBI and Pat Burrell added a two-run home run to lead the Philadelphia Phillies past the Washington Nationals, 6-3, on Friday night.

The Phillies (84-70), who won for the eighth time in nine games, made sure they would not lose ground to National League East Division-leading New York (84-68). They moved to within one game of the Mets, who are playing the Florida Marlins.

"You can get on a roll," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "If you keep your cool, you can get on a roll. Hopefully, we're getting on a roll here."

"Every win right now is crucial," Howard added. "We're doing what we do normally - that's finishing out games."

Howard's 42nd home run - leading off the second inning off Nationals starter Shawn Hill (4-5) - tied the game at 1-1. Sandwiched around an RBI double in the fifth that made it 6-1 were singles in the third and eighth innings, giving him a perfect 4-for-4 night at the plate and the third four-hit game of his career.

"I was just trying to see some pitches," Howard said. "They just left some up there for me and (I) made good contact."

Burrell's two-run blast in the third - his 29th - gave the Phillies a 4-1 lead. It was his first homer in 11 games and marked only the second time he recorded an RBI in that span.

Adam Eaton (10-9) won his first game since July 20, making it through five innings. The righthander allowed three runs and five hits but tied a season high with five walks. He also hit Wily Mo Pena twice, the second pitch forcing Pena from the game.

"I feel like I gave them three runs today," Eaton said. "I'm satisfied with the win, (but) I still scuffled mightily."

Geoff Geary, J.C. Romero and Tom Gordon bridged the three-inning gap between Eaton and closer Brett Myers by combining to hold the Nationals scoreless. Myers tossed a perfect ninth to earn his 19th save in 22 opportunities.

Gordon and Myers have both appeared in the Phillies' last four games.

"I'm not going to refuse the ball," Myers said. "We won today. It's good for us. The pressure is on (the Mets). They've got to win. The bottom line is, we've got to win ballgames and not worry about what they're going to do."

The bullpen's effort extended its recent success, as Phillies relievers have allowed just two runs in the last 26 2/3 innings.

Robert Fick finished with two RBI for the Nationals, who have dropped three straight.

"That's a really good team," Washington manager Manny Acta said of the Phillies. "If you don't believe me, just look at the stats."