Howard powers No. 58
PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard is making the most of the few pitches he gets to see.
Howard connected for his major league-leading 58th homer, Cole Hamels pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, and the Philadelphia Phillies continued their playoff push with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Marlins last night.
Howard moved closer toward becoming the sixth player to reach 60 homers when he lined a three-run shot off Ricky Nolasco into the seats in left-center in the third inning.
He got one more chance to hit, before being intentionally walked two more times.
``My mind-set is the same," he said. ``I always have to be ready to hit."
The Phillies (80-73) remained a half-game behind Los Angeles in the NL wild-card standings. Philadelphia is 34-19 since July 29, the day before trading outfielder Bobby Abreu to the New York Yankees as part of a midseason roster purge.
Hamels (9-8) gave up one run and six hits to win for the fifth time in seven decisions. The rookie lefthander struck out 10. He tipped his hat to the crowd as he walked off to a standing ovation in the seventh.
Tom Gordon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33d save.
Florida, which earlier in the month became the first team in history to bring its record above .500 after being 20 games below that mark, fell to 76-78. Despite having the lowest payroll in the majors, the Marlins came in four games behind the Dodgers.
Jimmy Rollins led off the bottom of the third with an infield single. Chase Utley hit a one-out single to bring up the lefthanded-hitting Howard.
He worked the count to his advantage before hitting yet another opposite-field homer to put the Phillies ahead, 4-0. With fans chanting ``M-V-P!" and waving white rally towels, Howard came out of the dugout for a curtain call. ``I hear it. It's a good feeling, but you have to tune it out and get locked in," Howard said.
It was Howard's 29th homer at home, tying Chuck Klein's team mark set in 1932. His 143 RBIs match Don Hurst's club record for a first baseman set in 1932.
Only five players -- Barry Bonds (73), Mark McGwire (70, 65), Sammy Sosa (66, 64, 63), Roger Maris (61), and Babe Ruth (60) -- have reached 60 homers. Howard has nine games remaining.
