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PHI@SD: Hamels dominates Padres through eight innings

SAN DIEGO -- Maybe this is the way it's going to be this season.

The Phillies got great pitching and enough -- just enough -- offense in a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on Friday night. Left-hander Cole Hamels allowed just four hits in eight dominant innings. The Philadelphia offense continued its struggles, but got the big hit at the right moment to give Hamels just enough room to work.

The Phillies have shut out the Padres the first two games of this four-game series and have won their past 10 contests in San Diego.

Hamels improved to 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA.

He had thrown 109 pitches through seven innings, but the Phillies sent him out for the eighth. It made sense. The Phillies' bullpen has thrown quite a bit lately and Hamels had been cruising since he pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second. He had allowed just three batters to reach base in the four innings since.

Hamels allowed a leadoff single to Chase Headley in the eighth, but retired the next three batters. He threw 126 pitches, although four of those pitches came on an intentional walk in the second inning.

The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the third.

Padres left-hander Clayton Richard walked Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco with one out. Jimmy Rollins flied out for the second out, which sent Ryan Howard to the plate. The Phillies entered the night with just five hits in their previous 43 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

They needed one here.

Howard hit a 1-and-2 slider to right-center field for a triple, which must have been a relief. He entered the night hitting .138 (4-for-29) with one double, three RBIs, three walks and 11 strikeouts in his last eight games, and .125 (2-for-16) with one double and six RBIs with runners in scoring position since April 6.

He also went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Thursday in a 3-0 victory over the Padres.

He needed that hit just as badly as the Phillies, who have struggled offensively. They have not scored more than four runs in a game since April 9.

But again, it proved to be enough.

The Phillies were held to four or fewer runs 12 consecutive games last season. They went 3-9 in that stretch. The Phillies have been held to four or fewer runs 11 consecutive games this season. They are 7-4.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.