PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels expects to face the Boston Red Sox again this season with more at stake. If so, he left quite an impression.

Ryan Howard homered twice and Jimmy Rollins also connected to back another strong outing by Hamels, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Red Sox, 8-2, last night in an interleague matchup of division leaders.

Hamels (7-4) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven-plus innings. Since consecutive poor outings last month, the left-hander has a 1.50 ERA in his last three starts.

"I believe we're destined to play each other in the World Series," Hamels said. "We can compete with them any day of the week."

Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew hit consecutive homers for Boston, which has won twice as many World Series titles in the past four years as the Phillies have in the franchise's 126-year history.

Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon (4-2) gave up four runs and six hits in four innings before leaving with back stiffness.

"I think I did it on a swing," Colon said through a translator. "We'll find out more tomorrow, but I think I'll make my next start."

Howard had his second multihomer game in four nights and finished 3 for 5 with four RBIs. Howard, who has struggled most of the season, now is tied for second in the NL with 19 homers and he's in a three-way tie with teammate Chase Utley and San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez for first in RBIs with 62. The 2006 NL MVP is batting just .224.

"I'm just up there trying to be as relaxed as possible," Howard said. "Whatever the numbers are, it doesn't matter as long as we get the win."

The Phillies teed off against Colon in the first inning. Rollins hit his 28th career leadoff homer into the second deck in right field for a 1-0 lead. Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum, followed with a double off the wall in right-center.

After Utley struck out, Howard lined an opposite-field shot into the left-field seats to make it 3-0. Howard belted another opposite-field drive to left-center for a 4-0 lead in the third.

"It's being able to see the ball deep in the zone," Howard said, explaining his power to left field.

Giants 8, Tigers 6: John Bowker hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning to spoil Fernando Rodney's season debut, and host San Francisco won its first interleague game in seven tries this year. Bowker hit a 1-2 pitch into the seats in the right-field arcade off Rodney, who was activated from the disabled list (shoulder) earlier in the day.

Mets 9, Angels 6: Carlos Beltran homered his first two times up as a DH this season, Mike Pelfrey won for the first time in 11 starts and visiting New York beat Los Angeles. Pelfrey (3-6) allowed six runs in six innings. Four Mets relievers combined to allow three hits and one walk.

Marlins 6, Mariners 1: Andrew Miller limited Seattle to one run and six hits over seven innings, and visiting Florida beat the Mariners. Miller (5-5) matched his career high, completing seven innings. He struck out two and retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 7, Rockies 1: Chipper Jones hit a two-run single in the fifth to break open a scoreless game, Jair Jurrjens pitched into the eighth inning without allowing a run and visiting Atlanta beat Colorado. Jurrjens (7-3) won for the seventh time this season, tops among rookies in the major leagues. He struck out seven and allowed eight hits in a career-high 7 2/3 innings.