PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued to roll tonight with a masterful performance by Cole Hamels. Despite a 1:32 rain delay at the onset The Bank was rocking all night long as Hamels pitched six perfect innings to open the night. Meanwhile, Aaron Rowand hit a 3 run homer in the 2nd inning and the Phils coasted to an early 5-0 lead. After they tacked on another run in the 6th for a 6-0 lead, Hamels came out for the 7th and walked Rickie Weeks to start the inning and there went the perfect game. The next batter J.J Hardy then homered and there went the no-hitter. Still, Hamels remained resolute, retiring the side in the 7th and the 8th. In all, Hamels went 8 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while striking out 11. Incredibly Hamels himself had 2 hits to equal the Brewer output on the night. Brett Myers then stepped in a non-save situation in the 9th and closed it out with another 1-2-3 inning. Hamels improved to 6-1 on the season, and the Phils finally got back to .500 for the first time since the season began, as they are now 20-20. Unfortunately they still trail the Mets and the Braves by 5 games for 1st in the NL East. Life is still beautiful though.