It took Cole Hamels more than 50 pitches to get through the first two innings, but he only gave up three hits and allowed no runs. After that it was smooth sailing. Hamels went eight innings, allowing four hits, striking out six, and walking none. He retired the last 16 men that he faced. Mirabile dictu, the Phillies' offense finally showed up for Hamels, first with a lone run in the third to take a 1-0 lead on Pads' starter Clayton Richard. Despite Hamels' dominance, it still felt dicey. Then Mike Sweeney hit a two-run homer in the seventh and handed out hugs all around. It was his first homer as a Phillie. Ryan Madson pitched the ninth, giving up a hit but keeping what was by then a 5-0 shutout intact. In the three-game sweep of the Padres, Phillie starters combined for a 0.82 ERA.
