Shane Victorino’s RBI single in ninth leads Phillies over Reds 3-2

Victorino’s hit in ninth leads Phillies over Reds

PHILADELPHIA — Shane Victorino’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Jayson Werth hit a solo homer for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are 5-1 since losing 14 of 18.

Reliever Ryan Madson (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in his longest outing this season. The pitching-starved Phillies may have lost another starter because Rodrigo Lopez left with right shoulder inflammation after five solid innings.

Pedro Feliz led off the bottom of the ninth with a single off David Weathers (1-2). After Paul Bako popped up a bunt and pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett flied to right, Jimmy Rollins walked. Victorino, one of the candidates for the final roster on the NL All-Star team, followed with a liner to left-center that scored Feliz.

The Phillies beat the Reds 22-1 on Monday night, but they have managed just six runs since handing Cincinnati the most lopsided loss in franchise history.

Reds starter Homer Bailey allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out a career-high six in six innings. It was his second straight fine effort that resulted in a no-decision. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed three hits and two runs in a career-high 7 1-3 innings against St. Louis last week.

Lopez gave up two runs and five hits in his second start since having elbow ligament replacement surgery in July 2007. He was filling in for injured rookie Antonio Bastardo, who made five starts after Brett Myers was sidelined with a hip injury that required surgery.

The Phillies used seven starting pitchers last season when they won the World Series. They have already used nine in 82 games this year.

Werth hit an opposite-field shot to right-center with two outs in the sixth to tie it at 2. Werth has gone deep in three straight games and has six homers in the last 11. In his first season as a full-time starter, Werth has 19 homers. He hit a career-best 24 last year when he platooned with Geoff Jenkins for half the season.

The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Laynce Nix’s RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Ramon Hernandez.

Ryan Howard’s RBI single cut it to 2-1 in the bottom half. Victorino led off with an infield single, stole second, went to third on Chase Utley’s fly out to right and scored on Howard’s liner to left.

NOTES: All-Star LF Raul Ibanez is scheduled for another rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday night after taking off Wednesday. Ibanez, out with a groin injury since mid-June, could rejoin the Phillies on Friday. … Reds 1B Joey Votto extended his career-high hitting streak to 11 games. … The Phillies have 36 successful steals in their last 41 attempts.