Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard continued to hit home runs in July, adding his ninth of the month as the Phillies started the second half on a good note, beating the Florida Marlins, 4-2.

Geoff Jenkins added his eighth home run and knocked in two runs while Chase Utley went 2-for-3 with an RBI to help the Phillies win for the fifth time in six games and move one game in front of the New York Mets in the NL East.

Jamie Moyer (9-6) shined once again at Dolphin Stadium, throwing six strong innings on just two runs and four hits. He struck out three and walked one to improve his record to 10-0 lifetime against Florida in 10 starts, including three wins this year against the two-time World Series champs.

"I've been asked this question many times," Moyer said. "There are teams and hitters you do well against and there are teams and hitters you don't do well against. If I was 0-10 then you would be saying it the other way. Why? I don't have an answer."

Brad Lidge -- who received the loss for the National League in Tuesday's All- Star Game despite not having lost a game all season -- pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save.

Ricky Nolasco (10-5) lost for the first time since June 5 and dropped a decision for the first time in three starts against the Phillies this season. He threw seven innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. The Marlins had won Nolasco's last seven starts, but the loss Friday drops the team 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia.

"I just tried to make my adjustments and keep us right there as long as I could," Nolasco said. "They made me pay for the mistakes that I made. They're a good hitting team and when you make mistakes they don't miss them too often."

Jorge Cantu was the only Florida batter to have a multi-hit game, going 2- for-4 with an RBI as the Marlins dropped their second straight after winning four in a row.

Howard continued his torrid hitting, starting the second inning with his major league-leading 29th home run of the year, giving the Phillies a 1-0 advantage.

After the homer, Pat Burrell lined a double down the left field line and Jenkins immediately singled home Philadelphia's second run of the game.

The Phillies kept on hitting in the third, as Jimmy Rollins led off with a double. The score became 3-0 two batters later on Utley's RBI single.

Jenkins knocked in another run in the fourth, blasting a homer to the deepest part of the park in center to make it 4-0.

Florida finally got some offense going in its half of the fourth, as Hanley Ramirez became the Marlins first baserunner of the game with a leadoff walk. Jeremy Hermida, Cantu, and Mike Jacobs each followed with singles to cut the lead to three and load the bases with nobody out.

The Marlins would add another run, but it cost the Marlins two outs as Dan Uggla grounded into a double play. Moyer avoided further trouble by getting Josh Willingham to foul out to end the inning at only 4-2.