3-2 Victory gives Phils split with Fish

The Phillies earned their division leading tenth victory of the season on Sunday, behind another strong outing from Cole Hamels and a clutch at bat from Chooch.

Hamels got the tough luck no decision, pitching a very strong game but falling on some bad luck in the sixth when he allowed two runs on a few bleeders off the end of the Marlins' bats.

The Phillies looked like they were going to score plenty of runs against Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez after getting to him for two runs in the first. Placido Polanco hit his first home run of the year, and Raul Ibanez came up with a clutch, two-out single to drive in Jimmy Rollins from third. Rollins had executed a well timed delayed steal, and advance to third on an error as the ball sailed into center field. After Ryan Howard walked, Ben Francisco popped up with runners at the corners and one out, putting the Phils at risk to waste a prime opportunity. But for the second straight game, Rauuuul came through with a man in scoring position and two outs.

Hamels was cruising with the 2-0 lead, as the Phillies struggled to get any more rallies started against Sanchez, getting themselves out on some bad pitches early in the count. After seven strong innings, Hamels exited the game deadlocked in a 2-2 tie.

Carlos Ruiz got a chance to put the Phils in front in the bottom of the eighth and he did just that, working the count and driving a breaking ball to center field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Howard from third to give them a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Jose Contreras did not have his best stuff, but with runners at second and third and two outs in the ninth, he induced a game ending ground-out from Omar Infante to seal the victory.

The Marlins entered the game one game behind the Phils; so the win allowed the Phillies to maintain their division lead.

The Phillies have the second most wins in the National League, behind only Colorado (12-3).

They've yet to lose a series this season, after splitting the Marlins series due to the rain out on Saturday.

The Phillies open a set with Milwaukee tonight, with Joe Blanton (0-1 10.45) on the hill against Shaun Marcum (2-1 2.55).