Chase Utley helped Philadelphia jump to a big lead with an RBI in each of the first two innings Friday and the Phillies went on to down the New York Mets 7-2.

Philadelphia returned home after a 3-6 road trip and promptly opened a key series with the Mets by scoring seven runs in the first three innings.

The early surge allowed the Phillies to regain a one-game lead over Florida in the National League East. A New York victory would have moved the Mets into a share of the top spot, but the loss dropped them two games back.

Utley singled in a run in the first and Greg Dobbs had a two-run base hit later in the inning. Utley added a sacrifice fly in the second and Jayson Werth hit a solo homer as part of Philadelphia's three-run third.

Rodrigo Lopez (1-0), who made his first major league start in two years, got the win. Lopez was called up from Class AAA Lehigh Valley to replace injured Antonio Bastardo in the rotation.

Lopez, who underwent elbow surgery in 2007, allowed two runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The loss went to Livan Hernandez (5-4), who was roughed up for seven runs on 10 hits in three frames.