PHILADELPHIA — Even their pitcher socked a ball into the seats.

If Ryan Howard, the Philadelphia Phillies and their frustrated fans needed any more evidence this really might be their year, Joe Blanton gave it to them.

Blanton became the first pitcher in 34 years to homer in the World Series, Howard drove in five runs with two homers and the Phillies romped over the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 on Sunday night to move within one win of their first championship since 1980.

Jayson Werth also homered as the Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Series.

Cole Hamels will try to close out the Phillies’ second Series title on Monday night against Scott Kazmir in a rematch of Game 1 starters. Hamels (4-0) is trying to become the first pitcher to win five postseason starts in one year.

Of the 42 teams to take 3-1 World Series leads, 36 have gone on to win the crown.

After splitting the first two games in Florida, the Phillies improved to 6-0 at Citizens Bank Park this postseason. That includes a wacky, rain-delayed 5-4 win in Game 3 that ended at 1:47 a.m. Sunday — it drew a 6.1 television rating, easily the lowest in Series history.

Jimmy Rollins made a great escape from a rundown in the first inning — perhaps with the help of an umpire’s blown call — energizing the Phillies and rattling the Rays.

A day after hitting his first homer of the Series, Howard connected twice.