PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils again avoided a sweep as Cole Hamels allowed just 3 runs on 4 hits while striking out 8 in 7 strong innings. Meanwhile the Phils bats finally came back to life collecting 8 runs on 12 hits. Right off the bat in the 1st inning Jimmy Rollins and Ben Francisco each slapped an RBI double for a quick 3-0 lead. In the 2nd, Shane Victorino slammed a solo homer for a 4-0 lead. In the 5th, Jimmy Rollins crunched a 2 run homer for a 6-1 lead. Later Brian Schneider forced in a run with a bases loaded walk in the 7th and after Antonio Bastardo tossed a scoreless 8th inning, Ryan Howard crushed a solo homer in the 9th to all but finish off an 8-4 win.