Perfect game spoiled but Hamels still wins

Cole Hamels’ bid for a perfect game ended in the seventh inning. Still, his first no-hitter could be coming soon -- just like one of his baffling changeups.

“I think he’s going to get some,” Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said. “How many, I don’t know. He’ll get a few.”

Hamels retired his first 18 batters and used one of baseball’s best changeups to strike out 11, leading Philadelphia to a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

Hamels is as confident as Manuel.

“Oh, of course,” he said. “I think every year I try and go out and at least get one. I know if I can keep fighting and keep plugging away, I can go out there and hopefully get one every year.”

Hamels (6-1) didn’t allow a baserunner until he walked Rickie Weeks to open the seventh. NL home run leader J.J. Hardy followed with Milwaukee’s first hit, his 13th homer of the year, to make it 6-2. Hamels then struck out the final two batters of the inning.

He gave up two hits and one walk in eight innings before giving way to Brett Myers in the ninth.

Aaron Rowand hit a three-run homer in the second for the Phillies.

Around the league

The Atlanta Braves’ $450-million sale from Time Warner Inc. to Liberty Media Corp. was unanimously approved by baseball owners at a special meeting in New York, with Hank Aaron expected to take on an increased role under the new ownership.

Aaron is a senior vice president who serves on the Braves’ board of directors.