Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard and Brian Schneider each hit a three-run home run as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-4, in the second of three games.
Carlos Ruiz added a two-run single for the Phillies, who have won four of their last five. Kyle Kendrick (9-7) got the win as he was charged with four runs on seven hits over five-plus innings of work.
Philadelphia remained three games behind Atlanta for first place in the NL East as the Braves defeated the Mets on Tuesday. The Phils did stay 1 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco for the NL Wild Card spot as the Giants defeated Colorado on Tuesday.
James Loney hit a two-run home run and finished the game with three RBI and Jamey Carroll drove in the other run for the Dodgers, who have dropped three of four. Carlos Monasterios (3-5) was tagged for five runs on five hits in just two-plus innings of work to take the loss.
The Dodgers struck in the first inning as a bases loaded walk by Loney forced home Scott Podsednik for a 1-0 lead.
It was short-lived, though, as Jayson Werth doubled to start the second, Shane Victorino later walked and Schneider crushed the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for a 3-1 lead.
The Phils added to their lead in the third. Placido Polanco started the frame with a single and Chase Utley followed with a single. That chased Monasterios from the mound, as Ramon Troncoso took over, and Howard greeted him with a shot over the center field wall for a 6-1 advantage.
The Dodgers got one back in the fifth when Jamey Carroll's groundout scored Rod Barajas to make it a 6-2 game.
Los Angeles then cut its deficit in half in the sixth as Matt Kemp led off with a single and Loney followed with a shot over the right field wall to make it a 6-4 game.
Philadelphia, though, got the runs back in the seventh as Ruiz's pinch-hit, two-run single gave the team an 8-4 lead.
J.C. Romero set the Dodgers down in order in the seventh while Ryan Madson did the same in the eighth.
Brad Lidge then worked a 1-2-3 ninth to lock down the win.
Howard hit his first home run in the month of August and it was his first round-tripper in 13 games...It was the first time since June 29 that the Phillies hit two home runs in a game...Philadelphia has won three of the five games with Los Angeles this season...Kendrick improved to 3-3 over six career starts against LA...Monasterios has dropped his past five decisions...Los Angeles third baseman Casey Blake went 0-for-4 and had a nine-game hitting streak snapped.