Mets Send Hamels Home Early, Give Phillies Their First Loss
By: Mike Reisman
Tonight, the Phillies started a three game series with their New York rivals, the Mets, a series many fans were optimistic about, especially with Cole Hamels starting, given the success of the first three aces. Hamels start unfortunately, was not up to par with the other three pitchers so far, and let the Mets give the Phillies their first loss of the 2011 season.
The Mets manhandled Hamels from the get-go, getting runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the 1st. Luckily, Hamels worked his way out of the jam. However, he would not be so lucky in the 3rd, when the Mets put together a string of singles, scoring six runs, and sending Hamels home after 2.2 innings, giving him a 20.25 ERA.
The Phillies bats, like Hamels, did not have the best night either. They could manage only one run in the 5th inning of a Placido Polanco double, scoring Wilson Valdez. They were able to get seven hits, but six of those hits came after the 3rd, when a comeback looked unlikely. The Mets would add one run in the 6th, and the game would end 7-1 Mets. Cole Hamels got the loss, and Chris Young got the win for the Mets.
The score for this game is deceptive. Yes, the Phillies allowed seven runs, and yes, they were only able to produce one run, however, take out Hamels dreadful 3rd inning and you have a 1-1 game. In fact, take away that inning, and both teams had one run and seven hits. Of course, that inning actually happened so the Phillies did lose, but this loss is not like your average 7-1 loss where you have a major issue to worry about. Cole Hamels has not done well in April over the past three years, having a 4.43 ERA since '08 in the month, his worst full month of the year. Though this was one of his worst starts ever, it's only the fourth game of the year, and his first. Nothing to panic about.
As for the Phillies line-up, tonight, not much good came except for a couple hits here and there. The one player to get more than one hit was Raul Ibanez, who ironically was one of the worst players in the Astros series. Once again, it's still early and some off days are expected. Nothing to worry about.
Tomorrow, big Joe Blanton takes the mound against Mike Pelfrey who got rocked for five earned in 4.1 innings against Florida in his first start. The game is at 7:05.