WASHINGTON - Cole Hamels pitched eight strong innings, and the Phillies scored their most runs this season as they routed the first-place Washington Nationals, 8-1, at Nationals Park on Saturday.
Hamels allowed one run over eight innings. He allowed that run with two outs in the eighth inning. Hamels retired the next batter, and Justin De Fratus pitched a scoreless ninth. The Phillies have won four straight starts by Hamels.
Hamels fell just short of his first shutout since Aug. 13, 2012. The lefthander threw 104 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. He scattered five hits, struck out five, and walked one.