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Dobbs comes through in pinch, lifts Phillies to win

May 21, 2008 - 3:46 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs' bloop single to center scored pinch runner Eric Bruntlett in the ninth inning to end the Philadelphia Phillies' 17-inning scoreless streak with a 1-0 triumph over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Dobbs, who leads the majors with nine pinch-hit RBI and 10 pinch hits, is hitting .455 in that role this season. His latest victim was Nationals closer Jon Rauch.

"Rauch just throws lights-out," said Dobbs, who has batted 10-for-22 as a pinch-hitter. "His ball just explodes on you. The first two pitches, he buried them down and in - just nasty, nasty pitches.

"So I tried to get something up in the zone and got jammed, but nonetheless I was able to fight it off and get it out there, which was my game plan going into that at-bat. I just wanted to get the run in."

Dobbs' RBI ended Rauch's season-high streak of 12 scoreless innings.

"Especially when I screw up, it's tough," Rauch said. "Everybody out there played well enough to win that ballgame, and I just didn't do the job at the end of the game. It wasn't a good pitch. It was a hanging slider that all he had to do was get a bat on it."

Phillies starter Cole Hamels allowed four hits and struck out 11 in seven innings, but did not record a decision.

"Cole pitched lights-out," Dobbs said. "You don't want to have a performance like that go by the wayside."

Hamels once again did not receive any run support, however, as the Phillies played 17 consecutive scoreless innings at Nationals Park. They were shut out 4-0 by four Nationals pitchers on Monday night.

"For myself, I was just happy we were able to pull it out in the end," Hamels said. "Three out of the past four games we've lost. And especially yesterday with not scoring any runs and then waiting until the last inning (tonight) to score a run, it's been tough with the type of offense that we have, which is able to put runs on the board fairly easy."

Hamels has pitched a career-high 19 consecutive scoreless innings, spanning his last three starts. In nine of his 10 starts this season, he has worked at least seven innings.

"I just keep going out there and attacking the hitters," said Hamels, who had his ninth career double-digit strikeout performance. "It's all on the hitters."

Tom Gordon (4-2) permitted one hit in one frame to pick up the victory.

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth - walking two and striking out two - to record his 11th save in as many opportunities as the Phillies posted their 11th road victory of the season and their first at Nationals Park.

Rauch (2-1), who had not allowed a run in 12 consecutive innings, allowed three hits and the lone run in the ninth to take the loss.

Hamels struck out nine in the first six innings, including the Nationals' side in order in the fifth.

The lefthander got Lastings Milledge to notch strikeout No. 10 in the seventh and retired 11 consecutive batters before Wily Mo Pena doubled with two outs in the seventh.

After Elijah Dukes walked, Hamels struck out pinch hitter Aaron Boone to end the seventh. Hamels threw 103 pitches - 66 for strikes - and walked two.

Jason Bergmann, who held the Phillies scoreless for seven innings, allowed five hits, struck out five and walked three - including one intentional pass.

Bergmann has pitched 14 consecutive scoreless innings in two starts since being recalled from Columbus on May 15. He began the season on Washington's Opening Day roster, but was optioned to Columbus after going 1-1 with a 7.45 ERA in four games - including three starts.

"We're in a good position to win these games - that's the best feeling right there," Bergmann said. "We've been in some games this year that we had no chance - and most of it has been my fault, so it's good to turn that around a little bit.

"Tonight we faced Cole Hamels, and the guy's got great stuff. He came out with his 'A' game."

Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz reached on back-to-back singles up the middle in the seventh. After Hamels advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, Bergmann intentionally walked Jimmy Rollins to load the bases with one out. Shane Victorino flew out to center to end the threat.

Geoff Jenkins singled in his first two at-bats and had two of the Phillies' eight hits. Feliz also had two hits for Philadelphia.

Cristian Guzman went 2-for-4 and recorded his team-leading 17th multi-hit game for the Nationals. He has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games, batting .362 during that span.