PHILADELPHIA — Rodrigo Lopez knows he might get dumped from Philadelphia's starting rotation for a healthy Pedro Martinez.

He just wants to make next month's decision a tough one for the Phillies.

Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard each went deep to back Lopez, and the sizzling Phillies won their ninth straight game, 10-1 over the Chicago Cubs last night.

Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui, batted 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

With actor Jack Nicholson watching from a front-row seat, Philadelphia's A-list lineup was about as good as it gets. The Phillies rocked Ted Lilly (9-7) in his shortest outing of the season for the Cubs, and they won for the 13th time in their last 14 games.

Up ahead, a shot at their first 10-game winning streak since 1991.

"You go out with a good feeling, and right now, things have kind of been going well for us," Howard said. "You just try to continue the feeling that you have."

The Phillies scored five in the first two innings to stake Lopez (2-0) to an early lead. Lopez, who left his last start with right shoulder inflammation, allowed one run over six innings.

His solid effort helped his cause to stay in the rotation once Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner, is deemed healthy enough to join the Phillies. Martinez signed a free-agent deal last week and was medically cleared to pitch a simulated game today. He might take Lopez's turn in the rotation in August.

"I would think as long as I'm doing my job and everything, I think there's going to be a spot open for me. Somewhere," Lopez said. "I'm just going to work on that and be more consistent. I can't control what will happen in the future. I've got to worry about my next start."

The Phillies are on their longest winning streak since 2006 and improved to 23-23 at home. They were 13-22 at home before they went 9-1 in their last homestand.

Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a single, Victorino followed with a double, and Ibanez connected off Lilly two batters later for his 25th homer.

Howard's solo shot in the eighth made it 10-1.

Chad Durbin tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save.

"They are a great team, the champs," Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot said.