In their last game before the all-star break the Phils looked to complete a remarkable 4 game sweep of the Reds. Cole Hamels was brilliant in blanking Cincinnati for 7 and 2/3rds innings on just 6 hits. He did a great job mixing up his pitches and left the Red's hitters guessing all day long. Even when they did guess right and put runners on base he remained unfazed, pitching out of not 1 but 2 tough jams. First the Reds had a man on 2nd with 2 out in the 3rd for Brandon Philips but Hamels eventually outlasted him after a long at bat. Later in the 4th Cincinnati loaded the bases with nobody out but again Hamels got out of it with a fielder's choice and a double play and the Reds were left to ponder what might have been.
Meanwhile the Phils had their own scoring troubles, as Jimmy Rollins ripped an RBI single the other way with 2 out in the 3rd inning to score Carlos Ruiz with the Phils only run of the afternoon. Ultimately it would be just enough for victory. Jose Contreras replaced Hamels in the 8th and pitched into and out of a jam. Then in the 9th J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combined for a scoreless and flawless inning to finish off the 1-0 win and the sweep. With that the Reds head into the all-star break having suffered 21 consecutive innings without scoring a run, while the Phils head into break on their 1st 4 game win streak in some time and perhaps turning a big corner in an otherwise tough season. At 47-40 overall and now just 4.5 games back in the NL East they're at least in decent shape heading into the break and still very much in the running for their 4th straight division title and more.
2 comments:
Now thats what I'm talking about! That 47-40 record is looking good even though the Phils are 4.5 games back but I'm sure the Braves cant keep what they're doing up. Things are looking good in my eyes.
-to ph1llysports
yes heading into the break the Phils have some serious momentum and given all their problems throughout the first half of the season, to be just 4.5 games back has to feel good
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