Mayberry’s hit lifts Phillies over Reds in the 11th

PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel sounded like a prize fighter who went the distance. And the Philadelphia manager didn’t even play. John Mayberry Jr. hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night.

In a game that lasted 4 hours, 24 minutes, the Phillies squandered opportunities in the ninth and 10th before getting a key hit to split the four-game set. They took over sole possession of third place in the NL East for the first time since April.

“I feel like I was in a fight, and I lost,” Manuel said. “I feel drained. I kept waiting for somebody to come home.”

Todd Frazier drove in all three runs for the NL Central-leading Reds, who were seeking their first series win in Philadelphia since 2006.

Kevin Frandsen led off the 11th with a single against Alfredo Simon (2-2), and Chase Utley followed with a double. After Ryan Howard was intentionally walked, Domonic Brown hit a bouncer to first that caused Frandsen to be forced out at home.

Mayberry then grounded a single to left to end it.

“The series was like playoff action,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Raul Valdes (3-2) worked a scoreless 11th for the win. Philadelphia’s bullpen pitched five hitless innings.

“It was phenomenal,” Mayberry said. “Everybody threw the ball extremely well.”

In a matchup between NL Cy Young Award contenders, neither Johnny Cueto nor Cole Hamels was sharp. Cueto was trying to become the first 17-game winner in the majors. The righty allowed two runs and five hits in five-plus innings.

Hamels gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He remained unbeaten against the Reds. The lefty entered 8-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 10 previous starts, including a five-hitter to finish off a sweep in the 2010 NL division series.

J.J. Hoover pitched out of trouble in the ninth and 10th. Hoover retired Brown on a double-play grounder with the bases loaded to send the game to extra innings.

“Things like that happen, but we came up with a tough win,” Brown said.

After Jimmy Rollins hit a double to put runners on second and third with one out in the 10th, Hoover got Brian Schneider on a grounder to third, and Juan Pierre on a popup to third.

Down 3-2, the Phillies rallied in the eighth against relievers Sean Marshall and Sam LeCure. Brown, Mayberry and Erik Kratz hit consecutive one-out singles to load the bases. Rollins then hit a shallow fly to left. Brown scored ahead of Ryan Ludwick’s off-target throw to tie it at 3.

Despite bright skies, it rained hard in the first inning. The Reds loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. Frazier drove in a run on a groundout to third for a 1-0 lead. Phillies shortstop Michael Martinez then saved a run with a spectacular, diving grab on Miguel Cairo’s grounder in the hole and made a strong throw to get the out and end the inning.

Hamels seemed a bit perturbed by the downpour and asked the grounds crew to work on the mound during the inning. He also appeared upset that Frandsen didn’t throw home on Frazier’s bouncer, throwing his hands up in the air.

“I was frustrated starting the game when it rains,” Hamels said. “I don’t think it should ever happen. They have radar detectors.”

The defense let Hamels down again in the sixth.

After a leadoff single by Jay Bruce, Ludwick ripped a wicked one-hopper to Martinez, who couldn’t handle the ball. It was ruled a hit, though it could’ve been a double-play grounder. Frazier followed with a double off the base of the wall in center, and the ball bounced back through Laynce Nix’s legs. Two runs scored for a 3-0 lead, and Frazier advanced to third on Nix’s error.

The rain stopped by the second, but the field was a little spongy for a few more innings.

Phillies right-hander Phillippe Aumont, acquired from Seattle in the original Cliff Lee trade in December 2009, pitched a scoreless eighth in his major league debut.

NOTES: Cueto leads the NL with 12 hit batters. ... Reds C Devin Mesoraco was reinstated from the suspended list and sent to Triple-A Louisville. ... Frazier has an eight-game hitting streak. ... The Phillies optioned RHP Michael Schwimer to the minors to make room for LHP Jeremy Horst, who returned from paternity leave. ... The Phillies extended their deal with Class-A Lakewood of the South Atlantic League through 2014. ... The Phillies open a three-game series with the NL East-leading Washington Nationals on Friday night. Kyle Kendrick (6-9) pitches the opener. ... The Reds return home to open a three-game set against St. Louis. Mat Latos (10-3) starts Friday.