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Victorino's hit in ninth leads Phillies over Reds

Jul 9, 2009 - 3:13 AM By ROB MAADDI AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Shane Victorino did his best campaigning with his bat.

The center fielder's RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Now Victorino has to wait until Thursday to find out if he made the NL All-Star team. Victorino is one of five candidates for the final roster spot determined through internet voting.

The Phillies have gone all-out to get Victorino selected. He went door-to-door in South Philadelphia with Mayor Michael A. Nutter to campaign for votes on Monday. Three fans in their early 20s have been sitting in the press box lounge since Tuesday afternoon clicking nonstop on their computers for Victorino. Fans in the ballpark and people listening to the game on radio or watching on television have constantly been reminded to "Vote for Shane."

"It's been a lot of fun," Victorino said. "It got a little exhausting the first day. I said, 'Let's do what I got to do on the field,' and we'll see what happens."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will lead the NL All-Stars in the Midsummer Classic next week, is hoping Victorino joins him.

"I guess the Flyin' Hawaiian wants to go to the All-Star game," Manuel said. "Let's see if he can play like that every night. Nah, he got a big hit. Shane's a tremendous player. He has a lot of talent, a lot of ability. He has good numbers."

Even if Victorino doesn't get picked by the fans, he still has a chance to go as an injury replacement for Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran.

Jayson Werth hit a solo homer for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are 5-1 since losing 14 of 18.

Reliever Ryan Madson (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in his longest outing this season. The pitching-starved Phillies may have lost another starter because Rodrigo Lopez left with right shoulder inflammation after five solid innings.

"I feel much better now," said Lopez, who isn't scheduled to pitch for almost two weeks because of the All-Star break. "I think I can pitch the 20th."

Pedro Feliz led off the bottom of the ninth with a single off David Weathers (1-2). After Paul Bako popped up a bunt and pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett flied to right, Jimmy Rollins walked. Victorino followed with a liner to left-center that scored Feliz.

"The guy is their hottest hitter right now. He's trying to make the All-Star team," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Reds starter Homer Bailey allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out a career-high six in six innings. It was his second straight fine effort that resulted in a no-decision. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed three hits and two runs in a career-high 7 1-3 innings against St. Louis last week.

Lopez gave up two runs and five hits in his second start since having elbow ligament replacement surgery in July 2007. He was filling in for injured rookie Antonio Bastardo, who made five starts after Brett Myers was sidelined with a hip injury that required surgery.

The Phillies used seven starting pitchers last season when they won the World Series. They have already used nine in 82 games this year.

Werth hit an opposite-field shot to right-center with two outs in the sixth to tie it at 2. Werth has gone deep in three straight games and has six homers in the last 11. In his first season as a full-time starter, Werth has 19 homers. He hit a career-best 24 last year when he platooned with Geoff Jenkins for half the season.

The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Laynce Nix's RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Ramon Hernandez.

Ryan Howard's RBI single cut it to 2-1 in the bottom half.

NOTES: All-Star LF Raul Ibanez is scheduled for another rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday night after taking off Wednesday. Ibanez, out with a groin injury since mid-June, could rejoin the Phillies on Friday. ... Reds 1B Joey Votto extended his career-high hitting streak to 11 games.