Utley's homer is good for grand

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel elected to sit second baseman Chase Utley for yesterday's Phillies-Mets game. Thankfully for Jonathan Swan, Manuel didn't have that inkling the night before.

Utley's two-run homer in the sixth inning Saturday not only gave the Phillies the lead in their 4-1 win, but won $1,000 for Swan in the Daily News Home Run Payoff Contest.

Swan, a Philadelphian who could not be reached yesterday for comment, was the third cash winner of the weekend and the second to win his money on an Utley home run.

We've given away $19,000 on 15 Payoff homers this season.

In addition, there were 15 other winners in the Payoff contest over the weekend.

Each winning a Phillies Gift Pack in the third inning of yesterday's game:

Isabel Travis, Philadelphia

Steve Ischinger, Philadelphia

Debbie Pakech, Philadelphia

Mary Hoch, Philadelphia

Tom McClain, Philadelphia

Karen Libucki, Philadelphia

Marian Pileggi, Ambler

Diane Camodeca, Philadelphia

Winners of a gift pack in the sixth inning of Saturday's game were:

John Collins, Philadelphia

Cornelius Bauer, Philadelphia

Bruce Buzby, Philadelphia

Mary Reed, Philadelphia

Robert Roesch, Philadelphia

Betty White, Philadelphia

Skip Scully, Philadelphia

The Daily News pays $1,000 for a home run hit in the Payoff inning and $10,000 for a grand slam. Contestants whose batters fail to hit a home run receive a gift pack, which includes a variety of Phillies-related items.

You can hear the Home Run Payoff inning during each Phillies broadcast on WPHT (1210-AM). Today's coupon is on Page 74. *