One Run is All Hamels Needs for Win
By: Mike Reisman
Usually when Cole Hamels starts, you can expect a low scoring game, where Cole allows one or two runs but can't get any run support, so he loses. Tonight was kinda the same. The low scoring would continue, but tonight, Cole would not allow the Phillies (as hard as they tried) to give him the loss. He brought his 3.31 ERA, and went to work on the all-but-eliminated Milwaukee Brewers.
Neither team would score in the 1st inning; however in the 2nd inning the Phillies would score an unorthodox run after a Shane Victorino would start the inning. Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz were up next, each grounding out, however, Ibanez would move Victorino over to third base, and Ruiz would score Victorino with his ground out. A strange run, but still a run.
Of course the game was not about scoring; so much as it was about Hamels' continued greatness. Hamels allowed only one man on base in the first four innings, on a walk, however he was quickly erased on a double play. Hamels finally gave up a hit, a single to Casey McGehee, in the 5th, but he was also erased on a double play. In only two of Hamels seven innings on the mound would the Brewers send more than three batters to the plate. His final line was 7 IP, 3 hits, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts, and all of this in just 103 pitches.
However, Hamels was not the only pitcher who did well tonight. Ryan Madson came into the 9th and shut the door, not allowing anyone on base and striking out Ryan Braun. Wait. No Brad Lidge in the 9th? Now this may just be a day off for the closer, so I will wait to jump to conclusions, but could this be Charlie losing faith in the pitcher who nearly blew another game for the Phillies last night. Either way a game without Lidge was a relief.
Well, probably the biggest thing about tonight, above the lack of run support, above Hamels superb performance, and above Lidge not being in the game, was the loss of the Atlanta Braves, putting the Phillies only one game out of the NL East lead. The Braves have not been playing consistently, going through streaky periods of wins and losses. The last time the Braves had a streak of wins or losses of less than four games was August 21st. Right now it looks as thought the Braves are on schedule to lose two more before the wins come for them. Even if that is not the case, the Phillies are now in a position to do some serious damage with their surging pitchers, and their (hopefully) soon-to-awake September bats which always seem to overpower opponents. I think it's safe to say that the pennant race is in full swing.