The Phillies are six games over .500 for the first time since 2011.
They improved to 21-15 by kicking off a nine-game homestand with a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson delivered one of his best starts of the season and plated the decisive run in the win, the fifth in the last six games for the Phillies.
Pete Mackanin’s club is 13-3 in one-run games, the most such wins in baseball.
The Reds dropped to 14-21.
Starting pitching report
Hellickson was strong, striking out a season-high nine and walking just one. He allowed two runs, both of which were unearned, and four hits over 93 pitches.
He retired the final seven batters faced. In his first eight starts with the Phillies, Hellickson is 3-2 with a 4.12 ERA.
Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan (1-2) walked five over four innings of work.
At the plate
Tyler Goeddel made up for a costly error he made in the top of the second inning by slicing a two-run triple down the right-field line to tie the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the fourth.
After the three-bagger, Hellickson put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to bring home Goeddel for the go-ahead run.
The Phillies bunted for three hits. Peter Bourjos collected one and finished 2 for 3 at the plate.
Bullpen report
Jeanmar Gomez nailed down his MLB-leading 14th save. He got the final two outs on a 6-4-3 double play.
Hector Neris pitched a scoreless eighth inning to set up Gomez.
In the field
Goeddel, who entered hitting .159, hurt the Phillies with his glove in the bottom of the second inning.
With runners on the corners and two outs, Goeddel dropped a fly ball running toward the left-field corner, allowing a pair of runs to score on the play.
It was the 23-year-old rookie’s second error in 17 games.
He took the two runs back with his first major-league triple, tying the game two innings later.
Health update
Leftfielder Cody Asche (oblique) began a rehab assignment Friday night with Single A Clearwater (see story).
Reliever Dalier Hinojosa, who has been on the disabled list since April 30 with a right hand contusion, may be out a bit longer than 15 days.
“When we placed him on the DL, we hoped it wouldn’t be significantly longer than the 15 days,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said before the game. “We’re approaching the 15th day, so I think it’s going to be longer than 15 days, but we’re hoping it’s not going to be too, too much longer.”
Joseph arrives
First baseman Tommy Joseph completed his journey to the big leagues (see story), as he was called up before the game from Triple A Lehigh Valley. He made his major-league debut, starting at first base and batting sixth, while finishing 0 for 2. He did draw a walk and scored on Goeddel's triple.
Up next
The Phillies and Reds on Saturday (7 p.m./CSN) play Game 2 of their three-game series. Right-hander Aaron Nola (2-2, 3.13 ERA) opposes Cincinnati righty Tim Adleman (1-0, 2.45 ERA).