Phils summon long ball to rally

The Phillies appeared to be going quietly yesterday, trailing 3-0 entering the sixth with only one hit.

Cliff Lee didn't have his best stuff yesterday, much like Roy Halladay didn't the night before, but Lee battled and kept the Phillies in the game. In six innings, Lee allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits, one walk and one home run. He struck out only one.

But the Phillies started a potential rally in the sixth and capped it with something that's long eluded this club, the three run homer.

Wilson Valdez worked a lead-off walk. With one-out and a 3-2 count to Shane Victorino, Charlie Manuel sent Valdez. Rickie Weeks ran to cover second, and Victorino hit a little spinner that bled through the infield and into right for a base hit. Vic blasted a solo shot that cleared the right-center field stands and entered the Phillies' bullpen, narrowly missing the catcher's head while he warmed Jose Contreras up.

Contreras shut the door in the ninth, allowing a hit and striking out two to seal the win and a much needed victory to avoid a sweep.

The Phils are on the west coast to face the San Diego Padres for a four game set. Roy Oswalt (2-0 2.50) will make the start after leaving his last game with discomfort in his back. He'll be opposed by Mat Latos (0-2 5.84).

Then, Mr. Clutch, Placido Polanco ripped a three-run bomb to left to tie the score and take Lee off the hook.

Kyle Kendrick and Ryan Madson each pitched a scoreless inning before Victorino led-off the eighth and hit the opposite of his bleeder in the sixth. Vic blasted a solo shot over the right-center field fence and into the Phillies' bullpen, narrowly missing the head of the catcher warming up Jose Contreras.

Contreras shut the door in the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out two to seal the win and a much needed victory to avoid the sweep.

The Phils are on the west coast for the four game set with the San Diego Padres. Roy Oswalt (2-0 2.50) will start tonight after leaving his last game with discomfort in his back. He'll be opposed by Mat Latos (0-2 5.84).