Four-homer barrage lifts Phils over Reds

Pat Burrell belted two of Philadelphia's four home runs and Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings, as the Phillies held on for a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a four- game series at Great American Ball Park.

Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a homer and Geoff Jenkins added a solo shot for the Phillies, who gained a split of the series. Philadelphia won Friday's opener, 8-4, before Cincinnati took both games on the weekend.

Hamels (1-1), the hard-luck loser in a 1-0 setback to Washington in his first outing of the season, shook off a rough first inning. He was charged with two runs -- one earned -- on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Both runs came in the opening frame.

"I thought he pitched well today," Phillies second baseman Chase Utley said of Hamels. "He was throwing all his pitches for strikes and getting ahead of hitters. When he is on, he is tough to hit."

Tom Gordon hurled a perfect eighth and Brad Lidge worked in and out of trouble in the ninth to nail down his first save with the Phillies.

Continued at My Sportsbook...