Hamels Shines In Tight Game

The Phillies won their 4th game in a row tonight with an amazing start from Cole Hamels.  The Brewers did not get a hit off Hamels until the 5th inning as he mowed down hitter after hitter.  He walked 3 batters, gave up just 3 hits and struck out 7.

Most impressive with Hamels tonight was his demeanor.  Even thought the Phils have not scored for him basically all year long, he did not let it bother him that the offense gave him only one run to work with…again.   Hamels got into some trouble in the 7th when he issued a lead-off walk and then a single but he worked out of the jam.

Although it did not appear to affect him, Hamels must be wondering what he has done to offend his teammates.  In his last 6 games, including tonight, the Phils offense scored 2 runs or less for him in five of those games, with two of them being shut-outs.  Perhaps he needs to change deodorants?

Whatever the reason, runs seem to be impossible to come by when Hamels is on the mound.  The one run scored tonight was after a 2nd inning Shane Victorino double; Raul Ibanez moved him to third and Carlos Ruiz grounded out to score him.  But after that…nothing.  The Phillies even left the bases loaded with NO outs in the 4th and did not score.  Ibanez struck out and Ruiz hit into a line-drive double play, catching Jayson Werth off the bag.  As a team, the Phillies went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Despite the offensive struggle, the Phillies went on to win 1-0 and Ryan Madson got the save in the 9th.  Roy Halladay will pitch tomorrow; game time is 7:05pm.

A few roster moves were made today also; Greg Dobbs was brought up from AAA and Ross Gload was activated off the DL after a groin injury last month.  A few more moves will be made in the next few days as the Monday double-header approaches and an extra pitcher will be needed.  No word yet on who will be called upon, but it may be Vance Worley who pitched very well in AAA and pitched one scoreless inning for the Phils in July.  Other possibilities may be Nate Robertson or Drew Carpenter.  We shall see.