PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell both hit two-run homers Thursday night as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-4.
The victory pulled Philadelphia into a first-place tie with the New York Mets in the NL East.
Howard's 44th homer this season helped Philadelphia build a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, and Burrell’s 30th helped increase the lead to 6-0 in the third.
Aaron Rowand and Carlos Ruiz had two hits each as the Phillies won for the seventh time in their last 10 games.
Winner Kyle Kendrick (10-4) yielded three earned runs and six innings. Brett Myers earned his 21st save.
Atlanta's Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer in the sixth, followed by Mark Teixeira's solo shot. Jeff Francoeur had two hits, one a solo homer in the ninth.
Matt Diaz had three hits for the Braves, who were mathematically eliminated from post-season contention.
The losing pitcher was starter John Smoltz (14-8).
