PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer Wednesday, had six RBI and carried the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-6 victory over Florida.
The Phillies survived a six-run Florida eighth inning and maintained their newly obtained lead in the National League East. Philadelphia stayed a half game in front of Atlanta in the division race after the Braves ended a three-game skid with a victory over Pittsburgh.
Cole Hamels (10-10) won his third straight start by giving up four hits over seven shutout innings. He left the game with a 10-0 lead.
Howard delivered a two-run single in the first inning, hit his three-run blast in the fourth and added an RBI single in the seventh. He paced a 17-hit attack that helped bring the Phillies their third straight win.
Florida roughed up reliever Nate Robertson for six runs in the eighth, three of them coming on a home run by Gaby Sanchez.
Andrew Miller (1-1), making his third start since being called up from the minors, took the loss. He surrendered seven earned runs on 11 hits in four innings.
