Phillies pounded by Indians in series finale

Cole Hamels looks on after allowing a two-run home run to Nick Swisher in the fifth inning of the Phillies' 10-4 loss to the Indians.

There's something about the top three in the rotation. There's something about the Cleveland Indians. Whatever the reason, the Phillies just can't play well on the days when Cole Hamels pitches. For whatever reason, the Indians have the Phillies' number this year.

Hamels battled deep counts and a tight strike zone all day, managing one of his worst outings of the season. Even with that, the game was still close enough for the Phillies to rally back. But the bullpen failed the Phillies as well, never really stopping the bleeding.

In the end, the Indians posted their third rout of the Phillies on the season, winning the series finale on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 10-4 at Citizens Bank Park. 

Hamels labored through the first two innings, somehow keeping the game scoreless despite stranding three runners and throwing 51 pitches.

Finally, in the third, the Indians capitalized. Mark Reynolds managed the first blow, a two-out, two-run double to put the Indians on the board.

The Phillies answered in their half of the inning. A two-out single by Jimmy Rollins scored John Mayberry Jr. to get the Phillies on the board.

But Hamels surrendered the run right back, giving up a solo home run to Mike Aviles. 

Nick Swisher made his mark on the game in the fifth, hitting a two-run home run down the left-field line to increase the lead to four.

Again, the Phillies managed an answer. Carlos Ruiz and Mayberry reached base for Kevin Frandsen, hitting in place of Hamels. Frandsen popped out in foul territory for the second out.

But Rollins came through again, delivering a two-run double to cut the lead to two.

With Hamels finished after five innings – he allowed five runs on six hits – Chad Durbin quickly retired the first two batters of the sixth before the inning spiraled out of control. A walk to Indians' starter Corey Kluber led to an infield single and a walk to load the bases. Durbin was pulled for Jeremy Horst after the infield single.

Horst couldn't escape the inning, giving up a two-run single to Asdrubal Cabrera, putting the lead back at four.

Raul Valdes entered in the eighth inning and allowed a three-run home run to Jason Kipnis. Kipnis had three extra-base hits on the day.

The Phillies went quietly from there, aside from an RBI double for Ruiz in the ninth, as the Indians managed their third win against the Phillies this season and snapped a three-game winning streak for the Phillies.

The Phillies get a day off on Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Cliff Lee gets the start against Tony Cingrani.

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.