Phillies continue to roll, rally in 9th to oust Pirates

Ryan Howard hit a tying three-run homer in the ninth inning before Paul Bako's single gave the Philadelphia Phillies an 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

The Phillies, who have won eight of nine, trailed 7-3 before pinch-hitter Matt Stairs led off the ninth with a homer off Matt Capps (1-5). Jimmy Rollins walked and stole second, his third steal of the game, and Chase Utley followed with a one-out single to left.

Howard followed Utley by blasting a 1-0 pitch to tie the game at 7. Raul Ibanez, playing in his first game after missing 20 with a groin injury, then hit a ground-rule double to center. After an intentional walk to Jayson Werth and an infield single by Pedro Feliz, Bako lined a 3-2 pitch to left, sending a crowd that included Vice President Joe Biden home happy.

Tyler Walker (1-0) pitched one scoreless inning of relief.