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Hamels seeks first win in more than month vs. Marlins

Aug 7, 2008 - 2:10 PM Florida (60-54) at Philadlephia (62-51) 1:05 pm. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Cole Hamels aims to end a six-start winless streak on Thursday when the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies duel the second-place Florida Marlins.

Philadelphia, which leads Florida by 2 1/2 games, notched its eight win in 10 games on Wednesday as Kyle Kendrick tossed six scoreless innings and Ryan Howard homered in a 5-0 romp.

Surprisingly, Hamels (9-7, 3.37 ERA) has not been a part of the Phillies' recent hot play. The 24-year-old is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in his last five starts and Philadelphia is 2-3 in that span. On Friday, Hamels allowed five runs - four earned - and eight hits in six innings of a 6-3 loss to St. Louis.

He looks for his first win since July 3 vs. the surprising Marlins, who hold a 6-5 season-series edge. In the last meeting on July 20, Hamels limited the Marlins to two runs and four hits in eight innings but did not receive a decision in a 3-2 loss. Prior to that, Florida ripped him for seven runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-3 win on May 31.

Florida counters with 21-year-old rookie Chris Volstad (2-2, 3.25). Volstad won his first two career starts, but is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in his past three outings.