The Phils finished their series with the Giants this afternoon looking to at least earn a split in the series. Despite resting a few players they almost did, but Cole Hamels just couldn't close it out. After a triple by ex-Phil Aaron Rowand gave the Giants a 1 -0 lead in 2nd inning, Hamels seemed to bare down and the Phils rallied for 2 runs in 4th inning on a solo homer by Jimmy Rollins and an single and an error by Jayson Werth, and 1 run in the 5th inning on a single by Carlos Ruiz to take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning. It was there that everything fell apart for Hamels. He seemed to be cruising after 2 quick outs and the pitcher Barry Zito due up but then a funny thing happened. Instead of producing an out, Zito blooped a single to keep the inning alive and perhaps Cole started to think too much or maybe he started pressing, whatever the reason, he wasn't right after that. Eugenio Velez followed with a single and then Freddy Sanchez broke the Phils hearts with a game tying double. Hamels was even worse in the 6th inning, first allowing Randy Wynn to single in a run and then loading the bases before Chan Ho Park came in to try to bail him out. Park almost did but with 1 out his payoff pitch to Velez was just a bit too high, and Velez slapped it for a game-breaking 2 run single to put the exhausted the Phils away for good 7-3. There's not much to say about this game. It was just yet another almost game for Cole this season. When the experts said he might not quite as strong this season, because last year he threw over 200 innings for the first time, I didn't believe them. I think I am starting to now, but you never know maybe Cliff Lee, who has thrown 200+ innings a few times, will know something that will get Cole back on track. Anyway so the Phils drop to 59-44 overall and now 5 games up in the NL East.
2 comments:
Well I think the Phils can really use this 1 day break and I hope they can come back hot tomorrow.
-to ph1llysports
yeah same here
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