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Phils aim for another offensive showing vs. Reds

May 24, 2011 - 2:36 PM (Sports Network) - Philadelphia's bats came alive and Cole Hamels continued his dominance of the Cincinnati Reds in a series-opening win at Citizens Bank Park. Now it's up to the Phillies to keep the momentum going tonight in the second installment of a four-game series versus the visiting Reds.

On a night All-Star second baseman Chase Utley made his much-anticipated 2011 debut in which he went 0-for-5, the Phillies received contributions from several players in a 10-3 bashing of Cincinnati. Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez all homered, while Rollins ended with three runs batted in and Polanco, Ibanez and John Mayberry had two RBI apiece.

"It felt great to get back out there with the guys," said Utley, who had been out since Spring Training with knee tendinitis. "The crowd was outstanding as usual, which gave us a big boost. Cole pitched well like he has been and we scored some runs."

The Phillies had scored three runs or less in their past nine games before lighting up the scoreboard last night.

Hamels must have been inspired by Utley's return and improved to 7-0 in eight career starts against the Reds, holding them to three runs on five hits over six innings. Hamels struck out four and walked a pair of batters before Michael Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Danys Baez each threw a scoreless inning of relief to preserve the win.

The Phillies have scored 10 or more runs five times this season and won for the third time in four tries since losing five of six games. They are 4-2 on a nine-game homestand and will send youngster Vance Worley to the mound this evening. Worley is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in four games (2 starts) this season and is coming off back-to-back relief appearances. In his last start on May 4 in a 7-4 win over Washington, Worley allowed one run over six innings.

Worley, a right-hander, threw six shutout innings in his season debut on April 29 versus the New York Mets and has never faced Cincinnati.

Cincinnati has been struggling as of late with six straight losses since a five-game winning streak. In last night's seven-run debacle, Bronson Arroyo was saddled with the loss for giving up nine runs and 10 hits over 2 2/3 innings. The Phillies grabbed a 9-0 lead with a seven-run third inning.

"They jumped on us pretty early," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We just can't keep [going to the bullpen that early.]"

Jay Bruce drove in all of Cincinnati's runs with a three-run homer in the fourth inning and finished with three hits. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto was held in check, going 0-for-4 at the plate.

The Reds are winless (0-4) so far on a 10-game road trip, have dropped five straight away from home and will hand the ball to Johnny Cueto tonight in south Philly. Cueto is making just his fourth start of the season and is 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA. He last toed the rubber in Thursday's 5-3 loss versus Pittsburgh and allowed three runs in five innings.

Cueto defeated the Cubs and Cardinals to kick off the 2010 campaign and will make his fifth career start against Philadelphia. He is 1-2 with a less desirable 5.96 ERA in the first four starts in this series. In more pitching news for the defending NL Central champions, starter Edinson Volquez was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Monday after compiling a 3-2 mark in 10 starts.

Philadelphia won five of seven matchups with Cincinnati in the regular season a year ago and swept the Reds in three games during the NLDS.