First-Inning Utley Homer Helps Power Hamels, Phils Beyond Brewers

Ben Revere kick started the first inning with a single up the middle, advanced on an Andres Blanco sac bunt, and stole third base. A pretty exciting sequence events was topped off by a line-drive homer by Chase Utley, his seventh of the season and first since June 26 to put the Phils up 2-0. That was almost all the Phillies needed. Ryan Howard would plate Utley in the third on a single for a 3-0 lead. Cole Hamels cruised for 6 2/3 IP, striking out seven and only really running into trouble via a Cody Asche error in the fifth. The Brewers put two of their own on the board via a pinch-hit Jeff Bianchi single in the fifth but would be held scoreless for the remainder of the game and the Phils hang on to win 3-2.

Feels Weird to Win, Feels Weirder to See Hits

The Phils win, coupled with the Braves loss, puts them just 11 games out of first place and only thirteen games under .500. All three runs came off lefty Marco Estrada. Blanco, Howard, Cody Asche, and Domonic Brown all had one hit while Revere and Utley chipped in with a pair each. In his last 11 games, Revere is 18-46 (.391) with five steals, a double, and a triple. His two-hit game raised his batting average to .292.

Bullpen Locks All Windows and Doors

I hate to steal a line from the terrific Sixers play-by-play man Marc Zumhoff but this bullpen has been virtually impossible to score on. Ken Giles lowered his ERA to 0.77, tossing an inning and a third with one strike out, allowing one hit. Jonathan Papelbon lowered his ERA to 1.31 striking out one in one inning pitched to notch his 20th save of the year.

The Phillies continue their four-game set with the Brew Crew tomorrow when Kyle Kendrick takes the hill against Wily Peralta.