The Phillies pulled within three games of the NL East-leading Mets and the wild card-leading Brewers by roughing up Ben Sheets (13-8). They remain four behind New York in the loss column.

Moyer (14-7) allowed three runs and four hits, improving to 7-1 in his last 13 starts. The 45-year-old left-hander moved past Hall of Famer Juan Marichal and into a tie with Jack Powell for 49th on the career list with 244 wins.

Pitching on short rest for the first time since 2004, Moyer kept the Brewers off balance with his usual assortment of batting practice-speed fastballs and even slower stuff. He left after Prince Fielder's two-run drive made it 4-3.

"As I got deeper, I think I got a little tired a little quicker," Moyer said. "I'm here, I'm healthy. Sometimes you have to step up."

Fielder's homer was his first since Aug. 13, but slumping Milwaukee lost for the eighth time in 11 games.

"This series has no more importance or value than the last series, but every day is important, every game is important," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "It's must-win, that must be your mind-set in September."

Ryan Madson pitched two innings, Chad Durbin threw one pitch to retire the only batter he faced with two on in the eighth and Brad Lidge finished for his 36th save in as many chances.

But it was Moyer who gave the ailing Phillies a big lift by taking the mound and making sure they played with a lead.

"Jamie did a great job," Howard said. "Anything is possible with him."

Sheets entered with a 20-inning scoreless streak, but couldn't extend it. The All-Star right-hander allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings.

"We've got to win some games," Sheets said. "I got a good vibe when the game ended. I know we didn't win, but I feel better today."

Howard connected in the first to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. He launched a first-pitch fastball into the bushes beyond the center-field wall for his fourth homer in six games.

"I have to produce runs," Howard said. "Whatever I can do to get the team going and provide a spark, I try to do."

J.J. Hardy sliced the lead in half with a two-out homer in the third, but the Phillies answered with two runs in the fourth.

Howard nearly hit another two-run shot, settling for an RBI double when his drive to center bounced off the top of the wall. It was his major league-leading 129th RBI. Pedro Feliz lined a two-out double just over right fielder Corey Hart's head to make it 4-1.

Fielder had gone 67 at-bats without a homer before going deep in the sixth.

Carlos Ruiz had an RBI double in the bottom half to give Philadelphia a two-run cushion. His eighth-inning suicide squeeze, a rarity for the Phillies, provided the final margin.

"I figured I might as well start trying to be a National League manager," Manuel joked. "I heard Ruiz as he was going up the steps ask somebody what the squeeze sign was. I figured he wants to squeeze, so I let him do it."

Notes

No non-knuckleball-throwing pitcher 45 years or older has won more games in a season than Moyer. He improved to 6-3 in 15 career starts on three days' rest. ... Howard is batting .417 (10-for-24) with 10 RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. ... The Phillies haven't named a starter for Sunday, though Brett Myers is more than willing to pitch on three days' rest. ... The Brewers fell to 31-18 against left-handed starters.