Hot Hamels leads the way for surging Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Cole Hamels continued his dominant run by pitching seven scoreless innings to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 10-6 on Wednesday and stay top of the National League East.

Hamels extended his streak of scoreless innings to a career-best 25 and the Phillies (81-60) kept their half-game edge in the division over the Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia's left-hander allowed just four hits and struck out five to capture his third consecutive start. He has not allowed a run since August 24.

"I think I was able to make good pitches and be aggressive," Hamels told reporters. "That's all you can ask for. Baseball is a long season and you go with what you've got."

Slugger Ryan Howard powered the offense with six RBIs and clubbed a three-run homer in the fourth inning, his 28th of the season.

The Phillies stormed to a 10-0 lead and banged out 17 hits. Chase Utley went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Shane Victorino added a pair of hits and scored three times.

Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins suffered a hamstring injury in the third inning and left the game. He has missed 59 games this year with leg and foot ailments.

After being shut down most of the game, the Marlins (70-69) fought back with six runs in the eighth but were unable to prevent their third straight loss.

Gaby Sanchez hit a three-run homer and Cameron Maybin added a two-RBI double to lead the charge for Florida.

Pitcher Nate Robertson was charged with all six runs during a disastrous relief appearance in the eighth that featured two walks and a wild pitch before he was withdrawn with two outs.

"You know you're coming down the stretch and you know that every game counts," Howard said. "I'm just trying to do my part."

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)