PHILADELPHIA – Chase Utley hit a three-run homer to extend his hitting streak to 26 games and David Dellucci hit a solo shot to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Wednesday night.

Utley’s 19th homer of the season in the second inning tied him for the fourth-longest hitting streak in Phillies history. Utley hit a 1-2 pitch off starter Brandon Webb (11-4) into the seats in right, extending the longest streak in the majors this season.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has the longest streak in team history at 38 games – the final 36 of last season and the first two this year.

Like Rollins’ effort last season, Utley’s feat won’t be nearly enough to get the Phillies into the postseason. The Phillies (45-53) have been a big disappointment after finishing only a game behind Houston in the NL wild card race last season.

Expected to be contenders, the Phillies instead are looking to deal at next week’s trade deadline. Two names heavily rumored on the block are Dellucci and winner Jon Lieber (4-7).

Dellucci’s numbers and playing time have greatly diminished a year after hitting a career-best 29 homers with Texas. Dellucci has played well when he’s in the lineup, but he’s stuck as a reserve behind Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell in the outfield.

Lieber could be exactly what a contending team is looking for down the stretch. Lieber’s had a string of solid outings since an 0-4 start and a stint on the disabled list with a strained left groin.

Lieber allowed 11 hits and four runs in seven innings in winning for the first time since May 13, against Cincinnati. Tom Gordon worked the ninth for his 24th save.

More than just interested scouts were watching Lieber: Thanks to a Ryan Howard bobble figurine promotion, the Phillies drew a record crowd of 45,459 to the 3-year-old Citizens Bank Park.

Webb got tagged for two runs in the first inning that helped lead to his first loss since June. 21. Dellucci’s bases loaded grounder to third went under Chad Tracy’s legs, allowing two runs to score. But Webb coaxed David Bell to hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.

With two runners on in the second, Utley hit an arcing shot to stretch his streak and give the Phillies a 5-0 lead. He hit two homers – including a tying shot in the ninth – in Tuesday’s loss.

Lieber allowed four straight singles in the third that cut the lead to 5-3. Dellucci’s solo shot in the third, his seventh, made it 6-3.

Webb allowed six runs and six hits in six innings. Arizona lost for the fourth time in its last 15 games.

Notes: Ed Delahanty had a 31-game hitting streak in 1899, Billy Hamilton had a 27-gamer in 1894 and Chuck Klein twice hit in 26 straight games in 1930 for the Phillies. … The Phillies traded backup C Sal Fasano to the Yankees for minor league 2B Hector Made. Fasano had been designated for assignment by the Phillies on July 22. He hit .243 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 50 games.

AP-ES-07-26-06 2132EDT

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