Who knew amid all the hubbub that accompanied the Phils’ move to bring back Cliff Lee and team him with Roy Halladay, that the best pitcher on the team was already here.
Remember Cole Hamels?
You know, that guy who strapped the team on his “California-cool” back and led them to a World Series title in 2008?
Hamels has been lights out this year, every bit the ace that Halladay has been at the top of the “Phab Phour” pitching staff that includes Lee and Roy Oswalt.
Hamels continued his domination last night, striking out nine and not surrendering a run in eight innings as the Phils shut out the Dodgers, 2-0.
For some reason, a lot of fans have not exactly taken Hamels to heart. He didn’t see like a Philly guy. He was a little too Southern California surfer boy for South Philly.
Not anymore.
Last night Hamels twice pitched out of jams that might have frustrated him into making critical mistakes in the past. Hamels used to have a tendency to dwell on mistakes, and sort of give up.
Now he simply bears down, as he did in the seventh when the Dodgers opened the inning with two hits to put runners on the corners with nobody out. In the past the sag would have been noticeable with Hamels. Not last night. He simply went to work, retiring the Dodgers on two pop outs and a strikeout.
Hamels is now 8-2 and appears to be a lock for the All-Star team.
And it appears he and the rest of the Phils' staff will have to be that good. The Phils’ bats remain in hiding, scratching out only five hits last night, including a Ryan Howard home run.
The lack of offense at one time seemed to throw Hamels off. Not this guy. He’s all business.
And all ace.
Remember Cole Hamels?
You know, that guy who strapped the team on his “California-cool” back and led them to a World Series title in 2008?
Hamels has been lights out this year, every bit the ace that Halladay has been at the top of the “Phab Phour” pitching staff that includes Lee and Roy Oswalt.
Hamels continued his domination last night, striking out nine and not surrendering a run in eight innings as the Phils shut out the Dodgers, 2-0.
For some reason, a lot of fans have not exactly taken Hamels to heart. He didn’t see like a Philly guy. He was a little too Southern California surfer boy for South Philly.
Not anymore.
Last night Hamels twice pitched out of jams that might have frustrated him into making critical mistakes in the past. Hamels used to have a tendency to dwell on mistakes, and sort of give up.
Now he simply bears down, as he did in the seventh when the Dodgers opened the inning with two hits to put runners on the corners with nobody out. In the past the sag would have been noticeable with Hamels. Not last night. He simply went to work, retiring the Dodgers on two pop outs and a strikeout.
Hamels is now 8-2 and appears to be a lock for the All-Star team.
And it appears he and the rest of the Phils' staff will have to be that good. The Phils’ bats remain in hiding, scratching out only five hits last night, including a Ryan Howard home run.
The lack of offense at one time seemed to throw Hamels off. Not this guy. He’s all business.
And all ace.
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