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Howard, Hamels help Phillies handle Red Sox

Jun 17, 2008 - 3:18 AM By Larry Dougherty PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Ryan Howard hit two homers, tripled and drove in four runs to back an impressive performance by ace Cole Hamels as the Philadelphia Phillies cruised to an 8-2 triumph over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

Howard, who had his third multi-homer game of the season, followed Jimmy Rollins' leadoff blast with a two-run shot to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead after one inning. Howard made it a four-run advantage with a solo shot - his 19th of the season - in the third inning before tripling in Chase Utley with an insurance run in the sixth.

Hamels (7-4) surrendered just two runs, coming off back-to-back homers by Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew in the fifth inning. The lefthander allowed seven hits over seven innings of work, striking out five and walking two.

"When you are able to get out of the first inning with a zero, and then our guys go out and put up runs, it's huge," Hamels said. "To jump out to an early lead against a good team gives a team a lot of confidence."

After the Red Sox cut the lead to 4-2 in the fifth, the Phillies' offense came to life.

With runners on second and third in the bottom of the frame, Rollins, who went 3-for-5, lined a two-run single to right off reliever Mike Timlin to give Philadelphia a 6-2 advantage. Two batters later, Utley plated Rollins with an RBI groundout before Howard tripled to deep center with a runner aboard to finish the scoring.

"They knocked us around tonight," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We'll show up (Tuesday) and see how we do."

It was Howard's 62nd RBI of the season, tying him for the National League lead with Utley and San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez.

"For me it is just trying to do my part," Howard said. "Whatever the numbers are, they are. The most important number is wins."

"Ryan is putting the bat on the ball and definitely is seeing the ball better," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel of Howard's resurgence.

Meanwhile, Hamels retired eight in a row after allowing the two homers, before he walked Drew to lead off the eighth.

"Hamels did a good job," Manuel said. "He was very aggressive, especially with his fastball."

The lefthander gave way to Chad Durbin, who promptly got Manny Ramirez to ground into a double play and Mike Lowell to pop out to end the inning.

Bartolo Colon (4-2) allowed four runs, six hits and two walks in four frames before leaving the game due to stiffness in his back.

"I think I did it during my second at-bat when my helmet flew off," Colon said through an interpreter. "I should be ready for my next start, but I won't know until (Tuesday)."

"Bartolo came over to me and said he felt a twinge after one of his swings," Francona said. "We decided not to risk further discomfort and took him out."

The Red Sox got Ramirez back in the lineup after missing the last two starts due to a sore right hamstring, but lost Kevin Youkilis, who was scratched due to back spasms.

"Youk's back kind of spasmed up on him," Francona said. "He said he felt it (Sunday), and it felt worse during batting practice, so we took him out (of the lineup) and let him get some treatment."