Hamels handles Braves as Phillies extend lead

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies extended their lead to four games in the National League East by beating the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Monday.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels breezed through eight innings, allowing one run and striking out six to win his fifth successive start.

The left-hander surrendered an RBI double in the second inning to stake the Braves to a 1-0 lead, but Carlos Ruiz tied the game in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double and Philadelphia added two runs in the fifth.

Hamels improved to 12-10 while closer Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his 24th save of the season.

"You never want to feel comfortable in this game or relaxed, but if there's ever a time when you feel confident with where you're at, that's got to be right now," Lidge told reporters.

"Considering what we've done the last two months to catch the Braves and go ahead a little - if they do their thing and we all take care of our business, then I like our chances a lot."

The streaking Phillies (90-61) won their eighth straight game to move closer to a fourth straight division crown, while the pursuing Braves (86-65) still lead the NL Wild Card race.

Atlanta starter Brandon Beachy was making his MLB debut and pitched 4 1/3 innings while allowing three runs - only one of them earned.

Right-fielder Jason Heyward made an error on an attempted catch in the fifth that led to Philadelphia's go-ahead run.

"It knuckled - it got in the wind," Heyward said. "I got a great jump right off the bat with it. I was right there the whole way. The last few rotations there took it out of my reach."