Harang, Howard lead Phillies in win over Pirates

Associated Press

Philadelphia

Aaron Harang scattered five hits over eight scoreless innings and Ryan Howard hit his team-high seventh home run, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

Howard had three hits to snap an 0-for-9 skid as the Phillies won their second straight to match their longest winning streak of the season and salvage a split in the four-game series.

The Pirates avoided a shutout when Starling Marte doubled to deep center field off Ken Giles with one out in the ninth, scoring Josh Harrison.

Jonathan Papelbon, who became the Phillies’ all-time franchise saves leader Wednesday night, recorded the final two outs for his eighth save in eight chances this season. Marte scored on Pedro Alvarez’s groundout to first.

Harang (4-3) settled into a groove after escaping trouble in the first inning, when he needed 27 pitches and left two runners in scoring position.

The 37-year-old right-hander walked one while striking out six, and he was helped by the Phillies’ season-high three double plays.

Harang has a 0.62 ERA (2 earned runs, 29 1-3 innings) over his first four starts at home this season, the lowest of any qualified starter in the National League.

Vance Worley (2-3) lasted just four innings in his second career start against the team that drafted him. He allowed three runs — one earned — and eight hits and a walk. Worley has not struck out a batter in his last two starts.

Pittsburgh’s trouble began from the start, when second baseman Neil Walker failed to catch a sharp groundball by Ben Revere, allowing the Phillies’ leadoff hitter to reach on a fielding error. Freddy Galvis and Howard both singled to right to load the bases with one out.

Worley then issued a bases-loaded walk to Cesar Hernandez and Grady Sizemore drove in another run with a single to center field for a 2-0 lead. But Odubel Herrera grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Pittsburgh had allowed just four first-inning runs in its previous 34 games combined, by far the fewest in the majors this season.

After a pitching change to begin the bottom of the fifth, Howard belted the first pitch from Radhames Liz into the seats in right field.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP Jeff Locke (2-2, 4.71 ERA) gets the start for an afternoon game at the Chicago Cubs. He’s lost each of his last two decisions.

Phillies: A 10-game homestand continues as RHP Chad Billingsley (0-2, 9.00 ERA) takes the mound Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His last victory was April 10, 2013, when he tossed six innings of one-run ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. The 30-year-old former All-Star spent last season on the DL after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.