Saturday May 22, 2010

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Cole Hamels pitched seven impressive innings, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 on Friday night.

The NL East-leading Phillies (26-15) are back to a season-high 11 games over .500, but it may have been a costly victory. Jimmy Rollins left the game in the sixth with a mild right calf strain, and he's day to day. The three-time All-Star shortstop missed 29 games with an injured right calf before returning to the lineup Monday.

Hamels (5-2) outdueled John Lackey (4-3) in a matchup of World Series heroes. The lanky left-hander allowed one run and three hits, striking out eight. Hamels had a sharp fastball and baffled hitters with his changeup. Six of his strikeouts came on the change.

J.C. Romero got the last two outs to earn his second save in three tries. He entered with two runners on and loaded the bases by hitting Adrian Beltre with two outs before retiring pinch-hitter David Ortiz on a deep fly to center.

Hamels pitched more like the guy who was MVP of the 2008 World Series when the Phillies beat Tampa Bay in five games. After struggling last year, he's getting back on track. Hamels lowered his ERA to 3.92 and already has half his win total in '09.

Lackey gave up four runs and six hits while walking a season-high five in five innings.

Rollins was playing his fifth game and batted leadoff for

the first time since coming back from the disabled list. He took six steps out of the box after hitting a single, jogged slowly to first and immediately came out after touching the bag.

Werth gave the Phillies a 4-1 lead in the fifth with a mammoth drive that reached the second deck in left field.