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LHP Hamels the right man to get Phillies over .500

May 22, 2007 - 1:15 PM Philadelphia (22-22) at Florida (21-23) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - Cole Hamels has been a big reason the Philadelphia Phillies have turned things around. |So it is only fitting that he will be the one to try and get them over .500 for the first time this season.

Hamels (6-1, 3.30 ERA), who has won a career-high four straight starts, takes the mound in the opener of a three-game series with the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.

The Phillies, who were expected to be a favorite to challenge the New York Mets for the National League East title, started out 4-11. However, they have won 18 of the last 29 games to pull to .500 after Sunday's 5-3 win over Toronto.

Hamels has been instrumental to their recent success, carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 6-2 win on Wednesday.

While J.J. Hardy ended his perfect game with a two-run homer in the seventh, it was the only blemish. The second-year starter allowed just two runs and two hits in eight innings, with 11 strikeouts and one walk.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old lefthander has not allowed more than three runs in his last 22 innings, and is third in the major's with 70 strikeouts.

Hamels will have the task of helping Philadelphia win on the road, something they have had a hard time doing. The Phillies have lost four of their last six away from Citizens Bank Park, where they just won seven of 10 on their recent homestand. Hamels is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA vs. the Marlins.

Meanwhile, Florida is coming off their first three-game sweep of the season, and have won five of six. Scott Olsen (3-3, 4.80) takes the mound for the Marlins. Olsen did not factor into the decision in his last start, allowing three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday.