Cole Hamels took to the hill in the
afternoon match-up against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday
looking to end the Phillies losing streak at two. He did so with a great
performance going seven innings, surrendering three runs while striking out
eight. Hamels has looked really good after putting his first start of the
season behind him. Since then Cole has gone 3-0 with a no decision, and
has gone at least seven innings or more in his last four starts.
It was a pretty good
start for Hamels coming off his last start against the Padres where Cole threw
a career high 126 pitches in eight shutout innings. Only Roy Halladay has
thrown more pitches in a game this season.
The Phillies offense
really appeared to be coming around in the Tuesday night loss to the
Diamondbacks. The Phillies scored five runs, but just couldn’t catch up
to the D-Backs who won 7-5.
Wednesday the Phillies
really put together a solid offensive performance scoring eight runs, and
smacking three homers. Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and Jimmy Rollins
all went deep for the Phillies. Placido Polanco continues to be the
Phillies best hitter at the plate. Polly went 4-5 on Wednesday with three
runs scored.
Let’s hope this is a
sign of things to come.
The Phillies get the
win, but take a loss. Carlos Ruiz left Wednesday’s game after his
at-bat in the first inning with soreness in his lower back. Ruiz
felt the pain in his back immediately after swinging the bat for
a fly-out that ended the inning. Carlos traveled back to
Philadelphia with the team and will be evaluated by team doctors on Thursday.
Chooch told m
CSNPhilly’s Jim Salisbury that he was unsure whether he would
have to miss time and when asked if he was worried Carlos replied
“Yeah.”
Carlos is currently
hitless in his last eight games (0-18), but as we all know he is extremely
important to the Phillies for is pitch calling and phenomenal work managing the
Phillies starting staff.
Thankfully the
Phillies have Thursday off, and are at home against a struggling team in the
New York Mets should Carlos just need a few days rest.
We’ll know more
tonight.
Side Notes -
Oswalt - We probably won’t hear much about what’s going
on with Roy Oswalt’s family because the tornadoes that landed near his hometown
have done extensive damage to phone and power lines. Oswalt lost his boyhood home to a tornado last
year and wanted to head back home to be with his family according to Ruben
Amaro Jr. According to the team, he left indefinitely, but may be back for his
next scheduled start on Tuesday. The Tornadoes have reportedly killed
close to 160 people.
Day Games - If you’re looking for a ticket to see the
Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park, or for that matter anywhere, consider a
day game. The Phillies are undefeated during the day.
That is exactly why I am so annoyed they keep changing day games to 8pm starts. That and because it is a Sunday, I have to work the next day after getting home at like 2am. Blah! ESPN sucks.
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/