Times wires
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels threw eight impressive innings, Jimmy Rollins drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly and the Phillies beat the Rockies 2-1 Wednesday night to end a four-game skid.
Hamels allowed one run and five hits, striking out eight for his first career win against the Rockies. He entered 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in three career starts vs. Colorado, including two in the postseason.
The NL East-leading Phillies had just seven runs and 17 hits in the previous four games. They got just enough this time.
Wilson Valdez led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to left. Pinch-hitter Shane Victorino sacrificed him to second and he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rollins followed with a liner to right, and Valdez slid in safely ahead of Ryan Spilborghs' throw.
Ryan Madson finished for his seventh save in as many tries. He allowed a leadoff double to Seth Smith, but worked around it. Madson struck out Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki swinging at offspeed pitches. He walked Todd Helton then struck out pinch-hitter Jason Giambi to end it.