PHILADELPHIA – New to the area, Hunter Pence hitched a ride to
the ballpark with Chase Utley.

Pence knows his way around the bases, though, and when he scored
the winning run on Raul Ibanez’s double, he found Utley and most of
his new teammates at the plate to mob him.

Two days into his stint with the Phillies, Pence knows this:
“They have fun, they work hard, they play hard.”

And they win.

Ibanez homered twice and hit the game-winning double in the 10th
inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-5 win over the
Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

“Any of these guys can carry you for a day,” Pence said. “That’s
the beauty of it,”

The Phillies trailed 5-3 in the eighth when Ibanez hit a two-run
shot for his second homer of the game. He doubled to right off Tony
Watson (0-2) in the 10th to score Pence and help the Phillies
complete a three-game sweep.

“We stay together and pull together when we need to,” Ibanez
said.

Antonio Bastardo (4-0) struck out one in a scoreless inning to
earn the win.

Ibanez hit a solo homer in the second off Pirates starter Jeff
Karstens and his tying blast was off Jose Veras. The Phillies are a
season-high 29 games over .500 (68-39) and swept their fifth series
of the season.

The Pirates, trying to keep pace in a crowded NL Central race,
left Philadelphia reeling but with two new bats. A day after they
traded for Derrek Lee, the Pirates acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick
from the San Diego Padres.

Pence, acquired Friday from Houston, hit a one-out double in the
10th and Ibanez followed with his 21st double of the season. The
Phillies increased their lead to six games over Atlanta in the NL
East and are starting to pull away.

“It’s electric,” Pence said. “Everyone has a different charisma
about them where you expect it to happen.”

The Pirates are fading in the division and hope Lee and Ludwick
can get them back on track.

Lyle Overbay hit a two-run homer and Karstens pitched seven
solid innings for the Pirates.

On the brink of losing his starting first baseman’s job, Overbay
connected on a two-run shot off Phillies starter Vance Worley in
the sixth for a 4-3 lead. Overbay, a disappointment in his first
season with the Pirates, will hit the bench once Lee joins the
team. Lee, acquired from Baltimore on Saturday, should take over at
first when the Pirates return home.

The Pirates then got Ludwick from the Padres for a player to be
named or cash considerations.

Ludwick batted .238 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 64 RBIs
in 378 at-bats. He was scratched two minutes before the start of
the Padres game Sunday against Colorado.

“I’m excited because I’ve got another chance to make the
playoffs, going to a team that’s in the pennant race, back in the
Central to an area I’m familiar with,” Ludwick said. “It’s just sad
things didn’t work out here.”

Karstens got a big boost when Overbay connected to right to put
the Pirates ahead. It was one of the few times this season Overbay
delivered in the clutch as the Pirates hoped when they signed him a
one-year deal in the offseason.

The veteran first baseman was signed to provide Pittsburgh’s
offense with some much-needed pop, but he has struggled in
hitter-friendly PNC Park. He entered the Philadelphia series with
just one RBI since July 4, or two fewer than pitcher Kevin Correia.
Overbay was batting only .217 in July and was 2 for 22 in his last
eight games entering Sunday.

With Lee on the way, he was scheduled to join the team Monday,
Overbay should find himself on the bench.

Asked for an interview, Overbay said, “As long as it’s not about
the Derrek Lee trade.”

He later said he didn’t know what was ahead for him after a talk
with manager Clint Hurdle.

The Pirates open a seven-game game homestand Monday against the
Cubs.

After allowing 17 runs to the Phillies in the first two games of
the series, Karstens turned in a nice little outing. But the
Pirates couldn’t solve.

“They have a bunch of answers,” Hurdle said. “Today, it was
Ibanez.”

He hit his 15th homer in the second, a solo shot, for a 1-0 lead
and Jimmy Rollins singled in two runs in the fifth that gave the
Phillies a 3-2 lead.

The Pirates scored another run in seventh on Garrett Jones’ RBI
double off reliever Brad Lidge. Xavier Paul had a two-RBI single in
the fifth.

Worley, coming off his first career complete game, picked up
where he left off, fanning five straight batters over the first and
second innings. With his glasses and quirky mohawk, Worley has
become an instant fan favorite. He struggled after his fast start,
allowing seven hits and four runs in six innings.

Notes: The Pirates transferred C Ryan Doumit to
the 60-day disabled list. … The Pirates have three games left vs.
the NL East. … Ibanez had his first multi-homer game of the
season.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard had four hits, including a homer and two doubles, and three RBIs to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Hunter Pence had an RBI single in his debut for the Phillies after he was acquired from the Houston Astros Friday night for three minor leaguers.

Cliff Lee (10-7) struck out 11 to reach double digits for the 16th time in his 10-year career, including seven this season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and walked two in 7 2/3 innings.

Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out the side, for his 17th save in 18 chances.

James McDonald (7-5) gave up five runs on 10 hits while striking out five and walking two.

Pedro Alvarez homered for the Pirates.

Pence wore No. 3, started in right field and batted fifth behind Howard. He was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the field in the first inning and when he batted for the first time in second. He hit .309 with 11 homers and 62 RBIs in 99 games with the Astros and was a much-coveted right-handed bat the Phillies wanted in part to protect Howard.

Howard made the move look good and he had a shot at the cycle, needing only a triple, when he drove the ball to deep center in the sixth. The ball caromed off the glove of Andrew McCutchen just in front of the wall in center, but the center fielder quickly retrieved it and held Howard to his second double of the game.

Howard led off the second with a solo shot to deep center to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead, snapping McDonald’s 12 2-3 scoreless streak.

Jimmy Rollins put the Phillies ahead 2-0 with a solo homer to right in the third and, three batters later, Howard made it 3-0 with a double off the wall in left that scored Shane Victorino. It was the 1,000th hit of Howard’s career.

Alvarez brought Pittsburgh within 3-2 with his two-out, two-run shot to right in the fourth.

But the Phillies got both runs back in the bottom of the frame. Lee scored when right fielder Steve Pearce misplayed Chase Utley’s single to right, and Rollins reached on Howard’s RBI single to right.

Philadelphia tacked on a run in the seventh on Carlos Ruiz’s RBI double to left-center that scored Placido Polanco and made it 6-2.

The Pirates got two runs back in the eighth on RBI singles by Walker and Brandon Wood. Pittsburgh had the tying run on with two outs, but Antonio Bastardo struck out Alvarez in relief of Lee to end the threat.

Pence’s first hit as a Phillie, a solid single to center in the eighth off Jose Veras, scored Victorino and made it 7-4 Philadelphia.

Pence grounded out in his first at-bat, although replays appeared to show he beat shortstop Walker’s throw to first on a grounder up the middle. First-base umpire Angel Hernandez, however, called Pence out, prompting Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to come out to argue and Pence to pull his helmet off in apparent disbelief.

In his second at-bat, Pence flied out to short right field with runners on second and third and one out. Pence grounded into a fielder’s choice in his third at-bat, and hit an inning-ending groundout to short in sixth in his fourth at-bat.

As a result of the Pence trade, the Phillies optioned promising outfielder Domonic Brown to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Brown batted .246 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 54 games for the Phillies this season.

NOTES: Along with Brown, the Phillies optioned right-hander Andrew Carpenter to Triple-A, and activated third baseman Polanco from the disabled list. Polanco had been sidelined since July 5 with a back injury. Lee’s two hits gave him 11 for the season, leading all Philadelphia pitchers. The crowd of 45,737 was the Phillies’ 181st consecutive sellout. Pittsburgh’s Michael McKenry went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, snapping his six-game hitting streak.

Copyright Associated Press

Cliff Lee (10-7) struck out 11 to reach double digits for the 16th time in his 10-year career, including seven this season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and walked two in 7 2-3 innings.

Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out the side, for his 17th save in 18 chances.

James McDonald (7-5) gave up five runs on 10 hits while striking out five and walking two.

Pedro Alvarez homered for the Pirates.

Pence wore No. 3, started in right field and batted fifth behind Howard. He was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the field in the first inning and when he batted for the first time in second. He hit .309 with 11 homers and 62 RBIs in 99 games with the Astros and was a much-coveted right-handed bat the Phillies wanted in part to protect Howard.

Howard made the move look good and he had a shot at the cycle, needing only a triple, when he drove the ball to deep center in the sixth. The ball caromed off the glove of Andrew McCutchen just in front of the wall in center, but the center fielder quickly retrieved it and held Howard to his second double of the game.

Howard led off the second with a solo shot to deep center to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead, snapping McDonald’s 12 2-3 scoreless streak.

Jimmy Rollins put the Phillies ahead 2-0 with a solo homer to right in the third and, three batters later, Howard made it 3-0 with a double off the wall in left that scored Shane Victorino. It was the 1,000th hit of Howard’s career.

Alvarez brought Pittsburgh within 3-2 with his two-out, two-run shot to right in the fourth.

But the Phillies got both runs back in the bottom of the frame. Lee scored when right fielder Steve Pearce misplayed Chase Utley’s single to right, and Rollins reached on Howard’s RBI single to right.

Philadelphia tacked on a run in the seventh on Carlos Ruiz’s RBI double to left-center that scored Placido Polanco and made it 6-2.

The Pirates got two runs back in the eighth on RBI singles by Walker and Brandon Wood. Pittsburgh had the tying run on with two outs, but Antonio Bastardo struck out Alvarez in relief of Lee to end the threat.

Pence’s first hit as a Phillie, a solid single to center in the eighth off Jose Veras, scored Victorino and made it 7-4 Philadelphia.

Pence grounded out in his first at-bat, although replays appeared to show he beat shortstop Walker’s throw to first on a grounder up the middle. First-base umpire Angel Hernandez, however, called Pence out, prompting Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to come out to argue and Pence to pull his helmet off in apparent disbelief.

In his second at-bat, Pence flied out to short right field with runners on second and third and one out. Pence grounded into a fielder’s choice in his third at-bat, and hit an inning-ending groundout to short in sixth in his fourth at-bat.

As a result of the Pence trade, the Phillies optioned promising outfielder Domonic Brown to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Brown batted .246 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 54 games for the Phillies this season.

NOTES: Along with Brown, the Phillies optioned right-hander Andrew Carpenter to Triple-A, and activated third baseman Polanco from the disabled list. Polanco had been sidelined since July 5 with a back injury. Lee’s two hits gave him 11 for the season, leading all Philadelphia pitchers. The crowd of 45,737 was the Phillies’ 181st consecutive sellout. Pittsburgh’s Michael McKenry went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, snapping his six-game hitting streak.

Read More: Chase Utley (2B – PHI), Placido Polanco (3B – PHI), Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have been atop the NL East all season, and they’ve usually been doing it at less than full strength. Chase Utley came back at the end of May and the infield was intact for most of June, but third baseman Placido Polanco went on the the disabled list with a back problem on July 15. Now, though, Jon Morosi reports that Polanco is coming back:

Phillies activate Polanco, option Domonic Brown.

The good news is that Polanco is back, taking at-bats away from Michael Martinez, who was inexplicably hitting second whenever he played. The bad news is that Phillies connoisseurs don’t get to watch super-prospect Domonic Brown anymore, with the Phillies hoping that there’s a little more juice left in the husk of Raul Ibañez.

With the lineup fully healthy, though, and with the addition of Hunter Pence, the Phillies have never been stronger. Prediction: they make the playoffs. You read it here first.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Hunter Pence(notes) got misty-eyed while saying goodbye to his
teammates in the Houston Astros’ dugout.

Those may be tears of joy in October.

Pence went from last place to a pennant race, joining the Philadelphia
Phillies and ending their season-long search for a right-handed hitting
outfielder.

“I think every competitor at the highest level wants to be in a pennant
race, wants to be in a World Series,” Pence said. “I’m pretty lucky now I get
to jump on board with one of the best teams, and hopefully have an opportunity
to do that.”

The Phillies sent three minor leaguers, including their two top prospects,
and a player to be named to Houston for Pence and cash on Friday.

Pence, a two-time All-Star, is the latest big-name player the Phillies have
acquired from the Astros. They’re hoping for similar results.

The Phillies got closer Brad Lidge(notes) in Nov. 2007 and Roy Oswalt(notes) last year.
Lidge was 48 for 48 in save chances in 2008, leading the Phillies to their
second World Series title. Oswalt was 7-1 down the stretch last season, helping
the Phillies overcome a seven-game deficit to win their fourth straight NL East
crown.

General manager Ed Wade made all three deals. He once served as the
Phillies’ GM, and fans joke that he deserves a World Series ring for sending
Lidge here.

“The goal remains the same,” Wade said. “It’s to get good and stay good,
and in order for us to do that it may entail some short-term sacrifices here.”

Pence is expected to start in right field and bat fifth against Pittsburgh
on Saturday night. The Phillies have been trying to find someone to hit behind
Ryan Howard(notes) since letting Jayson Werth(notes) walk away in free agency.

Pence is hitting .308 with 11 homers and 62 RBIs this season. He batted .278
over the past three seasons, hit 25 homers each year and averaged 82 RBIs.

“He’s a .300 hitter,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’s got
some power. He’s a good player. I like him. Yes, I like him quite a bit.”

The Phillies already had the best record in the majors without Pence. But
this season won’t be considered a success unless they win the World Series.

That’s why GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. was willing to part with some elite
prospects. The Astros got first baseman Jonathan Singleton and right-hander
Jarred Cosart. But the Phillies kept talented outfielder Domonic Brown(notes), who will
lose his starting job to Pence, and rookie righty Vance Worley(notes).

The 19-year-old Singleton was batting .282 with nine homers and 47 RBIs for
Class-A Clearwater. He was selected by the Phillies in the eighth round of the
2009 draft.

The 21-year-old Cosart was 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 20 games, 19 starts, for
Clearwater.

Houston also receives 25-year-old righty Josh Zeid, who was 2-3 with two
saves and a 5.65 ERA in 21 games, 11 starts, for Double-A Reading.

“We believe Domonic Brown is going to be an outstanding player, but he’s
learning on the job,” Amaro said. “This (acquisition) is not a knock on
Domonic. We believe he’ll be a Phillie for a long time. For us, this was a move
for the present and the future.”

Amaro has a knack for making bold moves at the trade deadline. In his three
years since replacing Hall of Famer Pat Gillick as the GM, Amaro has acquired
Cliff Lee(notes), Oswalt and Pence—all on July 29.

He also traded for Roy Halladay(notes) in December 2009, and then shocked the
baseball world by signing Lee to a free-agent deal last winter.

“We always try to address our needs,” Amaro said. “We feel this was the
missing piece.”

Pence adds balance to a lefty-heavy lineup. Manuel now can move Shane
Victorino(notes) up from fifth to No. 2 until Placido Polanco(notes) returns from the disabled
list.

Pence led the Astros, who have the worst record in the majors, in homers. On
the Phillies, he’s fourth behind Howard (20), Raul Ibanez(notes) (14) and leadoff
hitter Jimmy Rollins(notes) (12).

“I’m really looking forward to just trying to be a part,” Pence said.
“Give it my heart and soul like I always do. One thing I try to take pride in
is hustle, grind and preparation. It’s really cool to be wanted like that.”

Amaro said the Phillies were able to stay under the luxury tax despite
adding Pence’s salary. He’s earning $6.9 million this season. Amaro didn’t rule
out making more deals before Sunday’s deadline.

“Right now, I’m very comfortable with our ballclub,” he said.

The 28-year-old Pence was Philadelphia’s target all along because of his
age, skills and a favorable contract situation. He can’t become a free agent
until 2014.

The Phillies had some interest in Carlos Beltran(notes), traded Thursday from the
New York Mets to the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants.
Beltran is a free agent at the end of this season with no compensation.

“I don’t like rentals,” Amaro said. “I don’t believe in those.”

Pence isn’t going anywhere anytime soon—except the postseason if the
Phillies keep winning.