Phillies 2, Reds 0
Cole Hamels threw a five-hit shutout and Chase Utley hit a home run as the Philadelphia Phillies finished off a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 2-0 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, sending the Phillies to their third consecutive NL Championship Series.
Hamels (1-0) didn't match Roy Halladay's no-hit gem from Game 1, but he was nearly as dominant. The 26-year-old left-hander recaptured the postseason magic he harnessed in 2008, striking out nine and walking none.
The Phillies gave Hamels a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the first, as shortstop Orlando Cabrera's throwing error with two outs allowed Jayson Werth to reach and scored Placido Polanco.
Utley added his solo shot with two outs in the fifth - his 10th home run in 35 postseason games.
Reds starter Johnny Cueto (0-1) took the loss in his postseason debut, allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out two.
The Phillies will face either San Francisco or Atlanta in the NLCS beginning Saturday. The Giants lead the Braves 2-1 after a 3-2 victory Sunday.