TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Howard, Rollins Ignite Phils' Romp

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROB MAADDI

The Associated Press

Published: June 17, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Ryan Howard homered twice and Jimmy Rollins also connected to back another strong outing by Cole Hamels, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 Monday night in an interleague matchup of division leaders.

Hamels (7-4) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven-plus innings. Since consecutive poor outings last month, the left-hander has a 1.50 ERA in his past three starts.

"I believe we're destined to play each other in the World Series," Hamels said. "We can compete with them any day of the week."

Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew hit consecutive homers for Boston, which has won twice as many World Series titles in the last four years as the Phillies have in the franchise's 126-year history.

Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon (4-2) gave up four runs and six hits in four innings before leaving with back stiffness.

"I think I did it on a swing," Colon said through a translator.

Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew hit consecutive homers for Boston.

Howard had his second multihomer game in four nights and finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Howard, who has struggled most of the season, now is tied for second in the NL with 19 homers and he's in a three-way tie with teammate Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez for first in RBIs with 62.

The Phillies teed off against Colon in the first inning. Rollins hit his 28th career leadoff homer into the second deck in right field for a 1-0 lead. Shane Victorino followed with a double off the wall in right-center.

After Utley struck out, Howard lined an opposite-field shot to left field to make it 3-0.

Howard hit another opposite-field drive to left-center for a 4-0 lead in the third.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT