PHILADELPHIA – Once again Jamie Moyer showed exactly why the Philadelphia Phillies acquired him to pitch in a playoff race.

Moyer tossed seven solid innings and Abraham Nunez had a two-run single to lead Philadelphia over the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Tuesday night.

Jimmy Rollins hit a solo shot and David Dellucci added an RBI double for the Phillies, who entered the night 11/2 games behind the Padres in the NL wild-card standings.

Moyer (3-2) allowed one run and six hits in his sixth start since the 43-year-old left-hander arrived from Seattle. He didn’t walk a batter and has pitched at least six innings in each of his outings with Philadelphia.

“You have to give your bullpen an opportunity to pitch quality innings, not mop-up innings,” Moyer said. “I wanted to go as deep as I can and throw as few pitches as possible.”

Geoff Geary retired the side in the eighth after Aaron Fultz allowed a leadoff single to Juan Pierre. Tom Gordon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save in 36 chances.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel raved about Moyer’s performance. The Phillies traded two minor league prospects to the Mariners for Moyer on Aug. 19.

“He’s a true professional,” Manuel said. “He’s at the ballpark real early. He does his work. He’s prepared. He really studies the hitters. He’ll call people about hitters. He’s very demanding of himself. He might not light up a radar gun, but he’ll get [outs].”

Matt Murton homered for Chicago. Wade Miller (0-2) gave up two runs – one earned – and four hits in 4 2/3 innings but won praise from manager Dusty Baker who said, “He threw the ball well.” The Cubs, who have the NL’s worst record, had won six of eight after a 2-14 stretch.

Ryan Howard, who leads the majors with 57 homers and again heard “M-V-P!” chants each time he came up, started a two-out rally in the fifth with a single to left. He scored on a headfirst dive after a Dellucci liner that sent Miller to the showers.

Roberto Novoa came in and walked Pat Burrell with Chris Coste then reaching on shortstop Ronny Cedeno’s fielding error to load the bases. Nunez followed with a two-run bloop single.