Howard homers twice as Phils top Marlins

Ryan Howard homered twice to back Jamie Moyer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 11-1 on Tuesday night. Moyer (10-8) allowed one run and five hits in six innings, and also had an RBI double.

Hanley Ramirez lined the first pitch of the game into the left-field seats for his 20th homer, but Moyer settled in nicely after walking the next two batters.

Unfazed by the humidity on a hot evening, the 44-year-old left-hander retired 13 straight batters at one point and won his third straight decision. Moyer improved to 6-0 in six career starts against Florida.

The Phillies closed within four games of the NL East-leading New York Mets.

A five-run third-inning against Rick VandenHurk (3-3) put Philadelphia ahead 6-1.

Jayson Werth started the scoring with an RBI single to right field. Carlos Ruiz singled in a run, Abraham Nunez had an RBI double and VandenHurk balked one home to make it 5-1.

Moyer then slapped a double over a drawn-in infield down the left-field line to drive in Nunez, giving the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

Howard hit a 431-foot shot to left-center in the fourth off Carlos Martinez, and Aaron Rowand followed with his 17th homer of the season.

Howard connected for his 32nd homer against Mauro Zarate in the sixth. The reigning NL MVP finished the game first in the NL with 93 RBIs and second in homers, even though he spent time on the disabled list earlier this year.

Howard drove in a run by hustling down the line and avoiding a double-play on a grounder to second with runners at first and third in the first inning.

VandenHurk gave up six runs, five hits and walked five in 2 1-3 innings.

J.D. Durbin pitched the final three innings for his first career save.

Notes:@ Howard has 11 career multihomer games, including four this season. ... Ramirez has four leadoff homers this year and 11 in his career. ... The Phillies have hit back-to-back homers twice this season. Rowand and Pat Burrell did it on July 17 against the Dodgers. ... Zarate, making his major league debut, gave up two earned runs in 1 1-3 innings. He also got a warning after hitting Rowand with a pitch following Howard's homer. ... Chris Roberson, subbing for Rowand, robbed Miguel Cabrera of extra bases with an outstanding, diving catch on a hard liner to right-center in the eighth.