Lester allows only 5 hits in 7 innings; Athletics top Phillies 3-1

Oakland Athletics' Jon Lester works against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

Oakland Athletics' Sean Doolittle (62) and Derek Norris, left, celebrate the A's 3-1 defeat of the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

OAKLAND, Calif. – Coco Crisp had two hits and drove in a run, supporting another strong outing from Jon Lester, and the Oakland Athletics defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Friday night to regain the top spot in the chase for AL wild cards.

Derek Norris and Eric Sogard also drove in runs for Oakland, which moved a half-game ahead of the Kansas City Royals, who were beaten by the Detroit Tigers earlier Friday.

Ryan Howard hit a home run for the Phillies, who have lost five of six.

Lester (16-10) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out seven en route to his third consecutive win. Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Lester has pitched at least six innings in his past 18 games, including all 10 with the A's.