Phillies Sweep Reds, Reach NLCS

CINCINNATI (AP) Cole Hamels struck out nine in a dominant five-hitter, Chase Utley homered and the Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the NL championship series for the third consecutive season, beating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Sunday night to complete a first-round sweep.

Hamels improved to 7-0 in eight career starts against Cincinnati and 6-3 in 11 career postseason outings overall. The 2008 World Series MVP allowed only two runners to reach second and none of the Reds got to third.

Utley connected against Johnny Cueto in the fifth, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead. It was Utley's 10th career postseason homer, moving him past teammate Jayson Werth and into first on the club's career list.

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