Brewers 4, Phillies 3
PHILADELPHIA -- Poor relief pitching by the Philadelphia Phillies doomed another solid start by Cole Hamels, as the Milwaukee Brewers came from behind on a rainy night to take the second game of a four-game series 4-3 on Tuesday.
The Brewers (31-48), who scored two runs in the first inning and then watched the Phillies rally to go up 3-2 on a solo home run by catcher Carlos Ruiz in the sixth, took advantage during a disastrous eighth inning by Phillies reliever Ken Giles.
Giles entered the game with a 1.62 ERA but certainly didn't have his best stuff in this appearance. After giving up back-to-back-to-back singles, the last of which -- by Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez -- tied things up at 3-3, Giles walked left fielder Gerardo Parra and first baseman Jason Rogers with the bases loaded, giving the visitors the lead.
Luis Garcia was able to get Brewers' second baseman Hernan Perez out swinging to end the threat, but the damage had been done.
It was the first time Giles gave up multiple runs since May 14, a span of 18 appearances for the 24-year-old reliever. He took the loss to fall to 3-2 with a 2.12 ERA.
Milwaukee reliever Neil Cotts (1-0, 3.94 ERA) got the win.
Giles' implosion ruined a strong performance by Hamels (5-6, 3.22), who pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs (both earned) on five hits, striking out seven and walking one. But the team's ace was left still looking for his first win since May 23, a stretch of six starts in which he is 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA.
Three times the Phillies (27-52) loaded the bases with one out and couldn't take full advantage, managing just one run in each of the second and third innings.
They would face that exact same scenario one more time in the eighth inning, but first baseman Darin Ruf grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Hamels struggled out of the gate, allowing a two-run single to Ramirez in the first inning, but he settled down. The Phillies' ace held the Brewers to three hits over the next five innings and retired the final nine batters he faced.
Brewers starter Taylor Jungmann (2-1) departed after six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, but wound up with a no-decision after he was in line for a loss.
Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez allowed the first two batters to reach in the ninth, but retired three straight to pick up his 17th save of the season.
Milwaukee right fielder Ryan Braun went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, including the game-tying run in the eighth inning. Ramirez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
NOTES: The Phillies welcomed Jahlil Okafor into the clubhouse before the game. Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in last week's NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, threw out the first pitch. ...Phillies infielder Cody Asche, who wears No. 25, celebrated his 25th birthday. ...This was game two of a seven-game road trip for Milwaukee, which plays three games at Atlanta following two more against Philadelphia. ... The home team in this Phillies-Brewers matchup has lost the last nine games.. ...The start of the game was delayed 89 minutes due to rain.