Utley, Hamels Lead Phillies Over Brewers, 3-2
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chase Utley hit a two-run homer, and Cole Hamels allowed one earned run in 6 2-3 innings for his first victory in a month as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the slumping Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Monday night.
Hamels (3-5) allowed two runs and seven hits, struck out seven and walked two for his first victory since June 6 — a span of six starts.
Ken Giles finished the seventh and worked the eighth. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 20th save in 22 chances.
Philadelphia rebounded after falling a season-high 14 games below .500 on Sunday when Pittsburgh completed a series sweep.
Utley, the starting National League All-Star second baseman, staked the Phillies to a 2-0 lead in the first with his seventh homer, driving an 0-1 pitch from Marco Estrada (7-6) over the right-field wall. It was the 27th home run allowed by Estrada, the most in the majors.
It was the sixth loss in seven games for the Brewers, who have had sole possession of first place in the NL Central since April 9.
The Phillies extended the lead to 3-0 in the third when Utley singled with two outs. He then scored from first on Ryan Howard's single to right-center.
Jeff Bianchi's pinch-single pulled the Brewers within 3-2 in the fifth. Milwaukee loaded the bases with no outs on a single by Khris Davis, Mark Reynolds reaching on an error by third baseman Cody Asche, and a single by Jean Segura. Bianchi then lined an opposite-field, two-run single just over the glove of first baseman Howard.
Right fielder Marlon Byrd helped limit the damage by throwing out Segura at third on the play. Hamels then enticed Rickie Weeks to bounce into a force out and retired Ryan Braun on a ground out.
Hamels also escaped in the seventh inning when Davis drew a leadoff walk and Reynolds launched a towering drive down the left-field line that narrowly hooked foul.
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