BOX SCORE
Charlie Manuel used his 17th different lineup in 21 games and it paid dividends as the Phillies scored a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night.
On the mound, Joe Blanton pitched a beauty to pick up his second win of the season.
The Phils (10-11) have won three of their last four.
Starting pitching report
Blanton (2-3) gave up an early run (aided by a blown umpiring call), but settled down nicely and took his club into the eighth inning. He allowed just two runs for the night, did not walk a batter and struck out eight.
The Phillies are 14-3 in Blantons last 17 starts at home. The team is 30-12 in his 42 career starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Cubs starter Randy Wells did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, but he could not get out of that inning as the Phils scored four times in that frame. Wells (0-1) took the loss.
MLB
Bullpen report
Chad Qualls got two outs in relief of Blanton in the eighth inning and Jonathan Papelbon earned his seventh save in as many chances.
Qualls and Papelbon have combined on 16 23 innings and allowed just two runs.
At the plate
Manuel used Jimmy Rollins in the leadoff spot for the first time this season. Rollins, who entered the game 3 for his last 37 in the No. 3 spot, responded with a clutch, two-run double with two outs in the fourth. Carlos Ruiz got the scoring started in that four-run inning with a hard-hit, two-run single up the middle.
Ruiz continued to hit the ball hard in the sixth inning as he belted a 392-foot home run into the left-field seats.
Ty Wigginton improved his hitting streak to 13 games with a seventh-inning single.
Bryan LaHair drove in the Cubs first run with a two-out double off Blanton in the first. Blanton appeared to be out of the inning, but second base umpire Dale Scott ruled Starlin Castro safe on a steal of second. Replays showed that Ruiz throw had gotten Castro.
Health check
Jim Thome started at first base, but left the game in the fifth inning with tightness in his lower back. He was replaced at first base by Wigginton. Thome was hitless in one official at-bat and is 2 for 18 on the season.
Ryan Howard is headed to Florida and Chase Utley might not be far behind (see story).
Up next
Kyle Kendrick (0-1, 9.39) makes his second start Sunday afternoon against Cubs righthander Matt Garza (1-1, 3.38)
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com