Instant Replay: Phillies 12, Reds 5

BOX SCORE

Dom Brown’s two-run double capped off a four-run fifth inning and sent home the go-ahead runs in the Phillies’ 12-5 victory over the first-place Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at the Citizens Bank Park.

It was the Phillies’ third straight victory and improved their record to 57-65, giving them their second three-game winning streak of the month. With the Pirates playing a late game in San Diego, the Phillies climbed to within 10½ games of the second wild card spot in the National League.

Starting pitching
It doesn’t look pretty in the box score, but starting pitcher Roy Halladay’s effort was effective on Monday night. Halladay pitched seven innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits and a walk, to go with three strikeouts and 97 pitches. Halladay got 10 ground ball outs and two infield popups and kept the National League’s top home run-hitting team in the yard.

Reds’ starter Mike Leake was knocked out after 4 1/3 innings. The righthander allowed seven runs on 10 hits and a walk.

At the plate
The Phillies' offense got rolling with a couple of long balls. Ryan Howard started it off with a moon shot to right for his eighth of the season in the third. An inning later, Erik Kratz slugged a solo shot into the left-field seats for his seventh of the season. John Mayberry added a two-run blast in the sixth for his 11th of the season to cap off the Phillies’ scoring.

Howard picked up a pair of hits to go with his two RBIs, while Kratz reached base four times and Mayberry added three hits. Juan Pierre had his 10th three-hit game of the season, going 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and two stolen bases. Pierre has 585 career stolen bases and needs one more to tie Maury Wills for 19th all-time.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins smashed a leadoff double in the sixth to snap an 0-for-20 skid.

For the Reds, Lancaster County native Chris Heisey went 3 for 4, while Jay Bruce also collected three hits.

Hose report
Brown picked up his fifth outfield assist of the season to cut down a run at the plate in the first inning. Brown also unleashed a couple of impressive throws from right field to keep the Reds’ baserunners honest.

Additionally, Kratz threw out Xavier Paul attempting to steal second base for the second out of the sixth inning. Kratz made the throw from his knees with his mask on to nail Paul easily.

Polanco activated
Before the game the Phillies announced they had activated third baseman Placido Polanco from the 15-day disabled list. The move corresponds with infielder Hector Luna being sent back to Triple A Lehigh Valley on Sunday evening.

Out since July 22 with back inflammation, Polanco is likely headed into his last stretch of games with the Phillies. That’s because at the end of the season the Phillies can buy out the fourth-year option of Polanco’s current contract for $1 million. Though Manuel says Kevin Frandsen will start at third base on Tuesday night, he did not rule out the idea of Polanco returning for his fourth year.

“I think if he’s healthy and he can play into September and if you see him play good, then if he doesn’t fit in our plans, I’m sure somebody in baseball might have interest in him,” Manuel said. “But I think if he plays good, yeah, I think we’ll definitely talk to him.”

Injury report
Without the walking boot for his plantar fasciitis, all-star catcher Carlos Ruiz took batting practice in the cage before Monday’s series opener against the Reds. Ruiz says he plans to take batting practice on the field before Wednesday’s game and will begin running next Tuesday. In the meantime, it’s still too early to tell when Ruiz will be able to head out for a rehab assignment and return to action for the Phillies.

Hamels earns honor
For the first time in his career, lefty Cole Hamels earned National League player of the week honors. He did it by pitching his second straight shutout on Monday in Miami and then pushed his scoreless innings streak to a Phillies’ season-high 23 innings on Saturday in Milwaukee. In 16 2/3 innings last week, Hamels allowed three runs with 15 strikeouts and two walks.

Up next
The Phillies and Reds continue the four-game set on Tuesday night when Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.83) faces righthander Homer Bailey (10-8, 4.16).

Lee went 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings against the Reds last season and is 6-2 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career starts against Cincy.

Bailey has never beaten the Phillies in five career appearances. He is 0-3 with a 5.88 ERA lifetime, including 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in four games at Citizens Bank Park.

E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com