Sweep Still Eludes Red Sox as Hamels Quiets Bats

The Sox have now lost their last three games when looking for a sweep. First against the Athletics, then the Orioles, and now the Phillies as Cole Hamels shut down the Red Sox offense to give Philadelphia the 5-3 win.

The tough lefty was impressive over seven innings, allowing only seven baserunners on five hits and two walks. He only allowed one run on an Adrian Beltre homer in the second inning. The only other Red Sox batter with much success of of Hamels was Dustin Pedroia, who recorded two of his three hits off the starter.

After getting out of a bases loaded jam with nobody out in the first, Tim Wakefield looked to have settled down, recording clean innings in the second and third, and striking out Chase Utley in the fourth. But the Phillies staged a quick rally, managing five straight hits off the knuckleballer including a Raul Ibanez two-run shot to give the Phillies a 4-1 lead they wold not relinquish.

After Adrian Beltre grounded into a double play to end a rally in the eighth, Ramon Ramirez allowed the Phillies a fifth run in the ninth. The Red Sox staged another small rally in the bottom of the inning, as David Ortiz doubled and scored from third on a wild pitch. J.D. Drew walked, stole second, and was knocked in by Daniel Nava, but Brad Lidge got Marco Scutaro to pop out, ending the game.