Hamels hammers out record 10 strikeouts victory

PHILADELPHIA – Cole Hamels took a perfect game into the sixth inning, masterfully using his changeup while matching a season high with 10 strikeouts to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals in the National League on Thursday.

Hamels, the MVP of last season’s NL championship series and World Series, allowed one run and five hits in eight strong innings. Hamels (10-9) even chipped in with an opposite-field RBI single to help the NL East-leading Phillies win their fifth straight game.

Brad Lidge gave up a run in the ninth before finishing for his 30th save in 40 chances.

Ross Detwiler (0-6) had perhaps his finest start of the season for Washington, striking out six and allowing one run in five innings.

At Atlanta, Brian McCann hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth inning as Atlanta downed New York, 7-3, for its seventh consecutive win.

The Braves moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since May 16, 2007. Atlanta (78-68) is 4 1/2 games behind NL wild card-leading Colorado.

New York (63-84) has lost five straight and nine of 10 to fall 21 games under .500 for the first time since Oct. 2, 2004, when it was 70-91.

Jair Jurrjens (12-10) worked seven solid innings for Atlanta, allowing two runs, one earned, and six hits, while lowering his ERA to 2.75.

The start of the game was delayed 2 hours, 3 minutes by rain.

At Chicago, Jody Gerut hit a grand slam and Mike Rivera delivered a key bases-loaded double as Milwaukee defeated Chicago Cubs, 7-4, and salvaged a split of a four-game series between teams finishing disappointing seasons.

After making the playoffs last year – Chicago as the NL Central champion and Milwaukee as the NL wild card – both teams are all but out of contention with 2 1/2 weeks left. The Cubs fell to 75-70.   (AP)