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Utley goes long and Phillies beat Reds

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From the Associated Press

CINCINNATI -- Chase Utley took his hitting tear against the Cincinnati Reds to a new season on Friday night, driving in three runs with a pair of homers that sent the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-4 victory.

Utley hit a two-run homer off Josh Fogg, who lasted only four innings in his Reds debut, and had a solo shot off left-hander Jeremy Affeldt for his 100th career homer.

The power-hitting second baseman has been at his best against the Reds lately, going 13 for 22 in his last six games against them with seven homers and 13 runs batted in.

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Ken Griffey Jr. drove in a pair of runs with a single and a double, passing Reggie Jackson for 16th on the career list with 1,702 RBIs. Frank Robinson is next at 1,812.

Around the league

The Atlanta Braves’ Mike Hampton was only minutes away from completing a comeback from two elbow surgeries and making his first start in almost three years when he hurt himself during pregame warmups Thursday night, sending him back to the disabled list. Hampton, trying to make his first start since Aug. 19, 2005, strained his left pectoral muscle on his 24th warmup pitch. He was seen grimacing on the bullpen mound.

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