MILWAUKEE -- The Phillies won for just the second time in the last 11 games when they held on to beat NL Central leader Milwaukee Brewers, 3-2, on Monday night at Miller Park.
Chase Utley and Ryan Howard drove in the Phillies’ runs and Cole Hamels got the win.
The Phillies took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. It was the first time since June 24 (14 games) that they held a lead of three runs or more. They did not score after the third inning.
The Phils’ record is 38-51.
Starting pitching report
Hamels pitched a strong game. He allowed just two runs, one earned, over 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven.
The win was just Hamels’ third of the season and first in a month.
MLB
Milwaukee right-hander Marco Estrada (7-6) allowed six hits and three runs over five innings. One of the hits was a homer by Utley. Estrada has given up a league-leading 27 homers.
Bullpen report
Ken Giles got four important outs with a 3-2 lead. He benefitted from a baserunning blunder from Brewers pinch-runner Logan Schafer in escaping trouble in the bottom of the eighth.
Jonathan Papelbon had his 20th save.
Milwaukee’s bullpen pitched four scoreless innings.
At the plate
Utley gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run in the first inning. It was just his second extra-base hit in the last 23 games.
Howard drove home the Phillies' second run with a single in the third. It was just his second RBI in the last 18 games.
Pinch-hitter Jeff Bianchi drove in two runs with a first-pitch single against Hamels in the fifth.
In the field
Third baseman Cody Asche booted a potential double-play ball in the Brewers’ two-run fifth inning.
Changes coming?
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. threatened to make some if the offense doesn’t improve (see story).
Health check
Cliff Lee will need two more rehab starts before he returns after the all-star break.
Carlos Ruiz is making progress recovering from a concussion.
Up next
Kyle Kendrick (3-8, 4.12) opposes Milwaukee right-hander Wily Peralta (9-5, 3.35) on Tuesday night.