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Ryan Howard drove in two runs in the ninth inning with his third double of the game and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. Howard finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs.
The game was tied at 3 through eight innings, but the Phillies bullied Blaine Boyer for four hits and three runs in the ninth, including a single by Shane Victorino that drove in the go-ahead run.
The Phillies boosted their road record to 18-13, best in the National League, and have won 15 of 19 overall.
Philadelphia also improved to 5-1 against the Braves and became the first visiting team to sweep a three-game series in Atlanta this season.
The Braves played without Chipper Jones, who said he has a small tear of his right quadriceps. He also could miss one or two games at the Chicago Cubs this week.
Chad Durbin (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and Brad Lidge earned his 17th save with a perfect ninth inning.
Pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett singled with one out in the ninth off Boyer (1-4) and moved to second on Jimmy Rollins' single to right.
Victorino drove in Bruntlett with a single to center and moved to second when Gregor Blanco's throw to the plate was up the first-base line.
Boyer's intentional walk to Chase Utley loaded the bases, and Howard lined the next pitch from Boyer over left fielder Josh Anderson's head for a two-run double.
The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the first on three hits, including Howard's run-scoring double to right off Jorge Campillo. Geoff Jenkins drove in the second run with a bases-loaded groundout.
The lead didn't last long. With two outs in the bottom half, Yunel Escobar doubled and Mark Teixeira tied the score with a homer to right off Adam Eaton, who gave up eight hits and three runs in six innings.
Victorino led off the third with a bunt single before stealing second and scoring on Howard's second double, this time an opposite-field shot to left.
The Braves pulled even at 3 in the fourth. Omar Infante led off with a single, moved to third on Campillo's single and scored on Anderson's single up the middle.
Notes:@ The Phillies improved to 10-10 in day games, including four straight wins. ... Braves reliever Rafael Soriano was not available for the third straight day with a sore elbow. ... Anderson hit leadoff for the first time this season.
Written By CHARLES ODUM
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