National League roundup

[September 02, 2009]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- All Cole Hamels had to do to regain his dominant form was stop trying to be too perfect.

Hamels pitched a two-hitter, Ryan Howard drove in the only run with a fourth-inning double and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Hamels (8-8) allowed a leadoff double to Ryan Garko in the second inning and a single to pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia to start the ninth. He struck out nine and walked one in his fourth career shutout and second this season. The left-hander extended his scoreless innings streak to 19, tying a career best, and won for the first time since July 28 against Arizona.

"I really tried not to stress myself out and go out and not try to be too good," Hamels said. "All I can do is throw strikes and let the team behind me take care of it."

Hamels learned a valuable lesson when he got roughed up by the New York Mets' B team two weeks ago. He allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings against an injury-depleted lineup that was missing most of its regulars.

"Getting roughed up by bench guys, you have to put things in perspective," Hamels said. "I was overdoing."

Jonathan Sanchez (6-11) was the hard-luck loser for the Giants. He allowed one run and three hits, striking out eight in six innings.

The NL East-leading Phillies have won 15 of 20 and have a 7 1/2-game cushion over Atlanta.

The Giants fell a game behind wild-card leader Colorado.

"We got good pitching. We just got beat," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.

For much of this season, Hamels hasn't pitched like the guy who was MVP of the NLCS and World Series last October. But he was outstanding in his previous start, tossing eight scoreless innings in Philadelphia's 4-1, extra-inning win at Pittsburgh last Wednesday.

He was sharp right from the start of this one, mixing a sharp fastball with his trademark changeup and an effective curve. Hamels retired 24 in a row after Garko's hit.

"When he gets going, he keeps it for a while. That's what we're looking for. He looked like the old Cole," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Rockies 8, Mets 3

At Denver, Todd Helton hit a three-run homer and Colorado snapped a five-game skid.

Carlos Gonzalez also homered for the Rockies, who grabbed sole possession of the wild-card lead as they started a 10-game homestand against losing teams.

Jason Giambi made his Rockies -- and National League -- debut in the seventh when he batted for the pitcher with the bases loaded and drew a four-pitch walk from Sean Green.

All-Star third baseman David Wright went 1 for 3 with a single and scored in his first game for the Mets since getting beaned by San Francisco's Matt Cain on Aug. 15.

Braves 4, Marlins 3

At Miami, Tim Hudson pitched effectively in his return to the majors, following a rain delay of 2 hours, 50 minutes.

Hudson (1-0) gave up two runs in 5 1-3 innings in his first big league start since having elbow ligament replacement surgery almost 13 months ago.

Brian McCann and Garret Anderson each had an RBI, and the Braves took advantage of a balk by starter Anibal Sanchez (2-6) to beat the Marlins for the second straight night. Atlanta is three games behind Colorado for the wild card, while Florida fell five back.

Cardinals 7, Brewers 6

At St. Louis, Matt Holliday's three-run homer snapped a seventh-inning tie, lifting Joel Pineiro (14-9) to his eighth straight win.

Albert Pujols added his major league-leading 42nd homer for the Cardinals, a major league-best 26-9 since acquiring Holliday in a July 24 trade with Oakland. They are 30-4 since July 1 in starts by their big three -- Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Pineiro.

Ryan Franklin earned his NL-leading 37th save in 39 chances.

Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3

At Los Angeles, Matt Kemp homered for the fourth consecutive game and right fielder Andre Ethier preserved the lead with an outstanding catch in the eighth.

Ethier also drew a bases-loaded walk that broke a seventh-inning tie. Jonathan Broxton earned his 30th save, ending Arizona's five-game winning streak.

Cubs 4, Astros 1

At Chicago, Milton Bradley homered and Randy Wells (10-7) became the first Cubs rookie to reach 10 wins since Kerry Wood in 1998. Carlos Marmol got his seventh save.

Reds 11, Pirates 5

At Cincinnati, Craig Tatum drove in four runs to double his previous career total and Justin Lehr (4-1) overcame control problems, sending Pittsburgh to its sixth consecutive loss.

The Pirates are four defeats shy of becoming the first major American professional team to string together 17 straight losing seasons. Cincinnati has won three straight and eight of 10.

Padres 4, Nationals 1

At San Diego, Clayton Richard (4-1) took a shutout into the seventh and fellow rookie Will Venable made another spectacular catch.

Richard, one of four pitchers acquired from the Chicago White Sox for ace Jake Peavy on July 31, struck out six. Heath Bell got his 33rd save as the Padres beat the Nationals for the 30th time in 39 games.

Washington has lost five straight and 12 of 15.

[Associated Press; By ROB MAADDI]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.