Utley helps Phils crush Bucs

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Charlie Morton gave up eight runs and kind of got off easy.

At least he didn’t have to face Hunter Pence.

Chase Utley fell a double shy of the cycle, Roy Halladay tossed one-hit ball over seven shutout innings and Philadelphia beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-3 on Friday night.

The Phillies didn’t need another hitter against Morton (8-6) and the Pirates. He did everything but balk — four walks, allowed a homer, threw a wild pitch and hit a batter.

“The first two innings he couldn’t get the ball down consistently,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s still growing and trying to figure it out.”

Morton and relievers Tony Watson and Jason Grilli each struck out four batters.

Utley and Halladay have a new All-Star teammate after the Phillies acquired Pence, Houston’s All-Star outfielder for prospects. Pence gives the Phillies, who have the best record in baseball the right-handed bat they need.

The Phillies, trying to clinch their fifth straight NL East title, clearly needed a big bat in the postseason. Pence, who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season. was batting .309 with 11 homers and 62 RBIs entering Friday The 28-year-old Pence was pulled from the Astros’ game at Milwaukee. He’s expected to play tonight against the Pirates.

“We tried to address a need that we felt was a missing piece,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “This gives us a little more balance.”

The Phillies gave up a pair of prospects in first baseman Jonathan Singleton and right-hander Jarrod Cosart. Cosart was Philadelphia’s top-rated pitching prospect and Singleton was considered their top-hitting prospect.

Halladay (13-4) struck out five and walked none in the sticky heat.

“He just keeps doing what he’s been doing,” Pirates right fielder Garrett Jones said.

Utley had a run-scoring triple in his first at-bat, a three-run homer in the second inning to make it 7-0, and he singled in the third.

Utley struck out swinging in the fifth and eighth innings.

Jimmy Rollins added a two-run homer, his 12th, in the seventh.