Howard Goes Deep Twice to Lift Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - July 10, 2008 Howard lined a two-run shot to left-center off Braden Looper (9-7) in the first and connected again in the sixth. He now leads the National League with 27 homers, two better than teammate Chase Utley, and 83 RBIs.

Howard was batting in the .160s in early May, was at .215 coming into this month and was upset after hearing some mild boos from the finicky fans. But the former MVP is 18-for-51 over a 13-game hitting streak that's lifted his average to .234 and he's heard nothing but wild cheers after every deep home run.