Hamels Sits Down Cubs; Victorino Sidelined
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, April 12, 2008 10:17 PM | Comments: 4
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Cole Hamels did his usual routine in a seven inning masterpiece against the Cubs tonight, en route to a 7-1 Phils win. Hamels surrendered only one hit, letting just Derrek Lee get to second base on a double. He walked two and struck out five.
Shane Victorino left the game in the seventh inning with a strained right calf. No word yet on how long he’ll be out, or if he’ll be out, but this was the injury he had last season, forcing him to sit a few weeks. With Jimmy Rollins out (and for who knows how much longer), the Phils might have to DL someone. Jayson Werth will likely slot over to center field in the meantime; he’s a worthy substitute offensively, but a drop on defense.
The Phils got nice offense tonight from all over the lineup. Pedro Feliz knocked a homer in the second inning to make it 2-0. Ryan Howard hit a two-run shot to make it 5-0. With the win practically sewn up, doubles by So Taguchi and Werth made it 7-1.
Ryan Madson pitched an inning and let up a run after a walk, bloop single and Alfonso Soriano base knock. It was his first outing in five days. Clay Condrey finished the game with a scoreless ninth.
Surely another costly win with Victorino leaving early, but the offense is starting to get rolling. They took advantage of a humid night at home and the righties got the game going early, driving Ted Lilly out of the game after five innings. Hamels was spectacular, keeping JC Romero, Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez from game action for another night.
The Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 Geoff
I was down there tonight, Victorinos first catch was amazing. Cole Hamels ripped a double on the first pitch i believe, which was definitely annoying to lilly. Chicago looked lifeless against him, and he definitely embarrassed some of those hitters. when hes on like that there isnt much you can do against him. the phillies got to lilly repeatedly and you could see by his body language that he wasnt setteld in at all. i really liked putting jason werth in the 2 hole, it seemed effective against the left-handed lilly. Even though they were well on their way to the win i had to start walking from my seat when condrey took the mound, i just cant watch the guy pitch. i just cant.
Posted: 11:13 PM on April 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
I read the latest news that Victorino has been placed on the 15-day DL. The Phillies called up outfielder Chris Snelling from AAA.
Remember that Victorino had the same injury last August and was out for three weeks and when he returned he was not 100 % and hampered.
It’s a twist of fate that Victorino appears to have found his stroke in getting two more hits in the game only to fall victim to the same injury that plagued him the remaining two months of last season.
Posted: 12:24 AM on April 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
We can limp by on Sunday, but beginning next week (aren’t the Mets in town?), we need some speed at the top. If Jimmy’s not 100 percent, I say ‘Bring up Golson!’
Who’s with me?
Posted: 12:56 AM on April 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Gnomicide
I was at the game last night with my girlfriend. It was an awesome time. Great night for baseball. Was scared all week that it was going to rain and it turned out to be the best weather I’ve had at a game in a long time.
I sat in the lower deck in left field and Feliz’s HR landed a row or two in front of me. It was awesome. Cole looked spectacular. I guess he’s putting it all together this year for sure. A 0.82 ERA.
:-O
Posted: 07:37 AM on April 13, 2008