MLB: Philadelphia 9, Washington 3

PHILADELPHIA, April 25 (UPI) -- Chase Utley had five hits and three RBI Wednesday as Philadelphia pounded the Washington Nationals 9-3.

Utley connected on each of five trips to the plate to set a career-high for hits in a game.

Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins both hit two-run homers, and Aaron Rowand hit a second-inning single to increase his hitting streak to 13 games in a row for the Phillies, who have won a season-high five straight games.

Winner Jon Lieber (1-0) gave up two earned runs and five hits in six innings with no walks and five strikeouts.

Dmitri Young and Austin Kearns each knocked in a run, one run scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Brian Schneider and Ronnie Belliard had two of the seven hits for the Nationals, who have a four-game losing streak.

Losing pitcher John Patterson (0-4) was tagged for six earned runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.