Rollins, Howard and a healthy Happ lift Phillies over Brewers

MILWAUKEE — After a string of injuries and ineffective bullpen performances, the Philadelphia Phillies' pitching staff needed this: J.A. Happ is back.

Philadelphia's rookie-of-the-year candidate, troubled by a strained side muscle this month, pitched 5 2/3 strong innings Thursday as the Phillies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-4.

GAME REPORT: Phillies 9, Brewers 4

With the victory, the Phillies reduced their magic number to four to clinch their third consecutive National League East title. They increased their lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves, who were idle, to seven games.

Happ (11-4), who was pulled after three innings in his start last Friday after missing two weeks with the injury, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out seven. He is tied with the Chicago Cubs' Randy Wells for most wins by an NL rookie.

The Phillies lifted the left-hander as a precaution in his last start when he seemed bothered by the injury, though he insisted afterward he was fine. Thursday, there was no debate.

"Doesn't even need to be a question, until further notice," he said after the game.

He cruised through the first five innings, allowing a third-inning run on a triple when left fielder Ben Francisco missed a diving catch on Jason Kendall's liner and an infield single.

"The first four innings, he was untouchable," catcher Paul Bako said. "Then we had the big (six-run) inning and he came out not flat but not quite as sharp as he was."

His performance and health are critical to a suddenly banged-up Phillies staff hampered by recent injuries to Pedro Martinez (neck), Brett Myers (shoulder), Scott Eyre (elbow) and Chan Ho Park (hamstring). J.C. Romero (forearm), who has been out since July, could be ready to return next week.

With the uncertainty involving left-handed relievers Eyre and Romero, Happ could be Manuel's top lefty in the bullpen in the playoffs. Or he could fill the No. 4 starting spot in the postseason, as an alternative to Martinez, who is scheduled to start Saturday.

"Happ's really improved as the season has gone along," manager Charlie Manuel said. "I like Happ as a starter; I always have. But at the same time, I also see with the way our pitching looks, there would be a chance he could wind up in the back end of the bullpen (in the playoffs) if we don't get some things straightened out."

As the Phillies arrived at Miller Field, sheets of plastic were rolled up above their lockers, ready to be dropped down to protect clothing in a champagne celebration that could come this weekend. The Phillies said they didn't order it.

In fact, Manuel noted the Braves have seven games against the Washington Nationals and three against the Florida Marlins in their last 10. "They can run the board," he said. "We haven't won nothing yet."

Jimmy Rollins' three-run home run, his 20th homer of the season, capped a six-run fifth inning vs. Brewers starter Jeff Suppan (7-11).

Ryan Howard drove in two runs and Pedro Feliz had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run for Philadelphia, who amassed 14 hits.

Howard came into the game an RBI behind Fielder, who entered with 131, for the major league lead, but he drove in Chase Utley with two outs in the first and added another in the eighth.

Fielder hit a run-scoring grounder in the bottom of the ninth to tie the sluggers at 132.

Howard, who doubled, homered and drove in four runs on Wednesday night at Florida, now has six RBIs in two games.

Leading 2-1, the Phillies broke the game open with six runs in the fifth to chase Suppan.

Jayson Werth reached on shortstop Alcides Escobar's throwing error and then four consecutive singles produced three runs, including one by Happ, who drove in his first run, just before Rollins hit his 20th of the season.

Suppan was booed as he walked off the field.

Suppan allowed eight runs — seven earned — and a season-high 12 hits over 4⅓ innings. He had not faced the Phillies since Game 4 of the NLDS last season at Miller Park, when he gave up five runs on three homers in three innings of the decisive 6-2 loss.

NOTES: Happ leads all rookies in ERA (2.79), complete games (three), shutouts (two), strikeouts (112) and innings pitched (158⅓). ... Phillies C Carlos Ruiz was not with the team after being sent home on Wednesday to undergo an MRI on his sprained left wrist. He had a cortisone shot on Thursday in Philadelphia and then left to join his teammates at Miller Park. He is not expected to play for a few days. ... Milwaukee (75-78) is out of the playoff race, but hopes to keep Ken Macha's streak of winning records alive. The Brewers' first-year manager, who led the Oakland Athletics for four years and two teams in the minors for four seasons, has never finished below .500.