PHILADELPHIA -Cole Hamels is again pitching like Philadelphias October ace.
Hamels took a perfect game into the sixth inning, masterfully using his changeup while matching a season high with 10 strikeouts and leading the Phillies to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
Hamels, the MVP of last seasons NL championship series and World Series, allowed one run and five hits in eight strong innings. Hamels (10-9) even chipped in with an opposite-field RBI single to help the NL East-leading Phillies win their fifth straight game.
Brad Lidge gave up a run in the ninth before finishing for his 30th save in 40 chances.
Ross Detwiler (0-6) had perhaps his finest start of the season for Washington, striking out six and allowing one run in five innings.
Brewers 7, Cubs 4
CHICAGO – Jody Gerut hit a grand slam, Mike Rivera delivered a key bases-loaded double and Milwaukee salvaged a split of the four-game series between teams finishing disappointing seasons.
After making the playoffs last year – Chicago as the NL Central champion and Milwaukee as the NL wild card – both teams are all but out of contention with 2 1/2 weeks left. The Cubs fell to 75-70 and the Brewers are 71-75.
Randy Wells (10-9) gave up five runs and five hits in four innings for Chicago.
Milwaukees Dave Bush (5-7) allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. Trevor Hoffman worked the ninth for his 33rd save in 36 chances.
Reds 3, Marlins 2
CINCINNATI – Jay Bruce singled with the bases loaded in the first inning, and the Reds handed Florida a costly loss.
The Marlins wasted a chance to gain ground in the NL wild-card chase. They remained 4 1/2 games behind Colorado and a game behind San Francisco, both of whom were off. They couldnt break their extended slump at Great American Ball Park, where theyve dropped nine in a row.
Matt Maloney (1-4) got his first career victory by going five innings and giving up a pair of runs. He started in place of Johnny Cueto, who became sick a day earlier.
Chris Coghlan had four hits for the Marlins, including a pair of doubles. Anibal Sanchez (2-7) got the loss.
Florida failed to score off four Reds relievers. Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for his 38th save in 41 chances.
