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Hamels beats heat, shuts down Padres

Jul 23, 2011 - 2:31 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Cole Hamels shrugged off his most recent outing to toss eight strong innings, as the MLB-leading Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres, 3-1, in the opener of a four-game series at a sweltering Citizens Bank Park.

Hamels (12-5), a San Diego native, allowed one run on three hits, walked one and recorded 10 strikeouts -- seven of which came in the first three innings -- to pick up his team-best 12th win of the season. The left-hander, who fought off a game-time temperature of 98 degrees, lasted just 4 1/3 innings against the New York Mets on Saturday after giving up a season-high seven earned runs and walking a season-high four batters.

"He pitched very good, moved the ball around," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said of Hamels.

Carlos Ruiz and John Mayberry, Jr. both hit an RBI double for the Phillies, who returned home after a 4-2 road trip to Flushing and Chicago.

Alberto Gonzalez knocked in the lone run for San Diego, which has lost eight consecutive games to the Phillies. The Padres were trying to match a season- best four-game winning streak following a sweep in Miami that saw them outscore the Marlins, 23-6.

Cory Luebke (3-4) yielded three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over five frames.

The Phillies opened the scoring with some help by San Diego's charitable defense.

Leading off the second, Shane Victorino reached on a two-base error by Padres shortstop Jason Bartlett, who misplayed a chopper on the infield. Victorino then scored when the next batter, Ruiz, lofted a fly ball that deflected off the glove of center fielder Cameron Maybin. The play was initially ruled an error, but changed to a double.

Philadelphia pushed across two more runs in the fourth. After Victorino singled to begin the inning, San Diego first baseman Jesus Guzman dropped a Ruiz foul ball and the Phillies catcher eventually drew a walk. A flyout moved Victorino to third and he scored on a balk by Luebke before Mayberry doubled home Ruiz.

"We gave them a couple runs," said San Diego manager Bud Black.

The Padres got on the board when Maybin started the fifth with a single, stole second and scored after consecutive groundouts.

Ryan Madson earned his 16th save with a perfect ninth.

Game Notes

The Phillies began a 10-game homestand on Friday by celebrating 1980's Retro Night with both teams donning uniforms from 1984...Philadelphia leads the majors with 35 home wins...Before the game, the Phillies activated reliever Brad Lidge from the 60-day disabled list and designated pitcher Danys Baez for assignment. Lidge has yet to pitch in the majors this season due to a right posterior rotator cuff strain suffered in spring training.