Roberts’ RBI single in 8th leads Orioles to 5th straight win, 2-1 over slumping Phillies

Roberts leads Orioles past Phillies again, 2-1

PHILADELPHIA — Brian Roberts had the decisive hit for the second straight game, a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the slumping Philadelphia Phillies with a 2-1 victory Sunday.

Roberts hit an RBI single to center off Cole Hamels (4-3) that made it 2-1 and sent the Orioles to their fifth straight win. Roberts hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Ryan Madson in a 6-5 win Saturday night.

The World Series champion Phillies have lost a season-high six straight, getting swept at home in consecutive interleague series by Toronto and Baltimore. Philadelphia fell to 13-22 at home — the Phillies are a major league-best 23-9 on the road.

Ryan Howard sat out after spending another night in the hospital, ending his streak of 343 straight games played since May 25, 2007. It was the longest active streak in the majors.

Jim Johnson tossed a scoreless eighth for the Orioles and George Sherrill worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save.

Roberts’ single made a winner of starter Jeremy Guthrie (5-7) for the first time since May 25. Guthrie tossed three-hit ball over seven innings and allowed only Greg Dobbs’ fourth homer in the second inning.

Robert Andino led off the Baltimore eighth with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. Roberts lined a single and the Orioles were on their way toward matching their longest winning streak of the season.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected in the eighth by first base umpire Larry Vanover for arguing what appeared to be a blown call. Jimmy Rollins hit a slow grounder to first baseman Ty Wigginton, who attempted to tag Rollins before he got to first. TV replays showed Rollins avoided the swipe, but he was called out and Manuel came running out of the dugout to protest.

Rollins went 0 for 4 to drop his average to .217 and heard boos after his at-bats as his slow start has morphed into the worst season of his career.

The Phillies have lost three games by one run and another in extra innings during their losing streak.

With Howard ill with the flu, Monday’s off day comes at an opportune time for the Phillies.

Hamels gave the overworked bullpen some needed rest with 10 strikeouts over eight innings. He walked none and gave up nine hits.

Howard’s absence provided an opportunity for Dobbs and he delivered just like the 2006 NL MVP. Dobbs, batting only .210 coming into the game, led off the second with a homer to right that made it 1-0.

Guthrie has allowed 28 runs in the first two innings this season and only 27 from the third inning on. He struck out four.

Roberts doubled in the sixth, stole third and scored on Adam Jones’ opposite-field single to right with two outs.

NOTES: Phillies closer Brad Lidge expects to be activated from the disabled list this week now that his right knee is close to full strength. Lidge said he’d make at least one more rehab appearance, on Tuesday for Class-A Clearwater, then either be activated Wednesday, or if a third rehab appearance is needed, on Friday in Toronto.