Magnificent Hamels Handles Brewers
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, October 01, 2008 06:14 PM | Comments: 37
Posts
In game one, Cole Hamels made a giant leap forward.
The left-handed ace of the Phillies was masterful, shutting out the Brewers en route to a 3-1 win. The Phils own a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series against Milwaukee.
King Cole was untouchable, striking out nine while using all his pitches. The fastball got over. The changeup was beautiful. The curveball made appearances and generally startled hitters. He was on. Plain on. He delivered in his biggest start yet.
He went eight, giving up just two hits and a walk. He was removed after 101 pitches. Brad Lidge entered and made it very interesting, putting the tying run on second base with two outs. He struck out Prince Fielder in a ridiculous at bat, then struck out Corey Hart to let everyone exhale. Hamels said postgame he wanted to sit after eight (possibly since he had previously allowed a home run to Fielder in a tight game). Hmmm. With Hamels out, Lidge threw 35 pitches, potentially making him unavailable for tomorrow.
The Phillies offense showed some of those hiccups that made them beatable against Colorado. They got just four hits off Milwaukee, and Chase Utley got lucky with a two-run double that was dropped by Mike Cameron. The third run came via a bases-loaded walk — Yovani Gallardo walked five.
But watching Jayson Werth look miserable at the plate (0-for-4, 3 K), and seeing Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Pedro Feliz come up short in big spots makes one incredibly nervous.
No matter right now. The Phils got the big game one win. And the ace came through with a platinum performance.
Posts: 0 Chase Andrews
Offense looked miserable, again. These guys need to relax, and I can only imagine that Charlie is trying to convey that message to them as we speak.
Posted: 06:17 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Evan
The offense obviously needs to do more. Hamels can’t pitch every game and god knows what Meyers will look like tomorrow.
But it was a fantastic game to watch!
Posted: 06:17 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 ryan
you’re freakin nuts if you think lidge is going to be unavailable tomorrow. there’s no way he’s not in in the 9th in a save situation tomorrow. mark it down
Posted: 06:34 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Joey
offense definitly needs to concentrate on moving runners instead of winning the game with one swing. Maybe JDub can come up big tomorrow against a lefty and turn this around.
Posted: 06:37 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I think the offense was just pressing slightly because of nerves. If anyone saw Utley’s post game interview he couldn’t get this huge smile off his face, clearly as relieved as all of us fans were. I think after finally getting a playoff win they should be much more relaxed from now on. And they better be, because we’re gonna need some baserunners and very timely hits tomorrow.
Posted: 06:58 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Big game for an undisputed ACE. Bats need to wake up but we’re already better off than last year! Tough test tomorrow, so today was a must.
Posted: 07:10 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 PhilCali
Hamels should have started the 9th. Lidge may go tomorrow if needed but who knows how effective after 35 pitches. Hamels would probably not have been needed until game 5 (Tuesday) so why not save your closer in case of a close game vs. CC tomorrow? I don’t like how Charlie handles pitchers and I hope this doesn’t bite us.
Good win, and a ‘must’ win with CC coming up.
Posted: 07:14 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
It seems like every person following this series will be absolutely shocked if the Phils beat CC tomorrow. Can’t wait for the chance.
Posted: 07:17 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 mike mike
great game by cole. anybody seen the low life skum, whale shit met fans. they ran away. Hopefully no one will answer them next season and they will go away.
Posted: 07:18 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
NEPA, I think that is great, actually. The Brewers will feel the pressure, knowing that they pretty much HAVE to win with Sabathia on the mound. That could easily backfire… (I certainly hope so)
Posted: 07:58 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Yea, that’s my thinking as well. I think today was our must win and we did what we had to do. Now the pressure completely shifts over to them for their own must win game. I think Werth is going to be key tomorrow. He usually pounds the ball off lefties and I don’t see Howard or Utley getting too many good swings in vs. CC.
Posted: 08:01 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Its about time for Cole Hamels to arrive. Weve all been waiting for him to come out in a big game. Wow did he ever.
Posted: 08:01 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Keith
You know, CC is due for a bad game, why not tomorrow?
Posted: 08:02 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 JohnDC
Does anyone think that pulling Hamels might be to get him ready for a possible game 4 start on 3 days rest? That way he would pitch against someone besides Sabathia, and hopefully close out the series before C.C. gets another shot. Game 4 would leave him ready again for a possible game 1 of the NLCS.
Posted: 08:09 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
I agree with Keith…its baseball …nobody goes 100% for long…I think this is the game he loses..
Posted: 08:13 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
No, I don’t think they would save him from one extra inning for that purpose. We have our 4 man rotation set up, plus if it does come down to a game 5 they would want Hamels on the mound.
Posted: 08:16 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 mr mr
this will probably be brought up for next game post, but i havent seen any mention that the next game will be sabath’s third straight 3-day rest start. maybe he won’t be worn down at all, but he may not have his big stuff tomorrow either. his last was a complete game, 9 innings to secure wild card, he had to have been putting forth a lot of energy.
Posted: 08:18 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Oh, and according to Tim, Hamels might have pulled himself out of the game after 8 because of his history pitching against Fielder. If that is true I’m somewhat disappointed because if he’s not confident enough to finish that game after the way he pitched, then when will he.
Posted: 08:18 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
JohnDC and NEPA: I read somewhere that there is a possibility that Hamels AND Blanton could BOTH pitch Game 4. I still don’t know what I think about this. Hamels is one of those pitchers who needs his rest (at least 4-days). Today’s game is the best example. He excels when he’s rested…
Posted: 08:50 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
…he’s no monster like CC Sabathia who can pitch several games on 3-days rest… Hamels works when he’s fresh –like today.
Posted: 08:51 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris C
Was it lack of confidence or faith in your closer and know that lidge is the better option? The old school thought is that you finish what you start, but maybe that was some strategy. I honestly think that he should have wanted to go out there to complete the game, but at the same time, isn’t that why we pay the man to pitch the ninth?
Posted: 08:52 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
The way I see it, Hamels was absolutely dominating the game. He had struck out 9 and had only given up like what, 2 or 3 hits? Also, he was just over 100 pitches heading into the 9th, and was very well rested. I think that if it was totally Charlies decision, he would have put Hamels in there for the ninth, especially considering Lidge’s recent heart attack saves. So, I would think that the only person holding back Hamels from at least starting the 9th inning was Hamels himself. Of course, I wasn’t in the dugout, so its really just my guess.
Posted: 09:21 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 mike mike
I would rather pitch hamels with three days rest. then that stiff Blanton. 4 quality starts in 13 games. He has no chance to beat milaukee. in a playoff game.
Posted: 09:27 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 mike mike
did you see mets low life fans your pitcher kills two people and takes off. Nice guy for your bullpen next year a real low life skunk.
Posted: 09:31 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
great win, great performance by hamels, can’t wait for the game tomorrow. i’m nervous but also excited to see what type fo stuff myers is throwing.
Posted: 09:37 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I agree with pulling Hamels out. You want to keep Hamels rested for the rest of the playoffs. You have a 3 run lead…put your closer in and let him do what he did all year. Sure he made it nail biting, but he got the job done.
Posted: 09:43 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 mike mike
Does the Cubs curse continue.
Posted: 09:53 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
NEPA,
Can you email me? Robertccowie@gmail.com.
Ill respond sometime between now and 7am if u send it tonight.
Thanks.
Posted: 10:06 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Yes Mike Mike. The Cubs are going to get swept.
Posted: 10:06 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Shannon
Phillies need to play small ball tomorrow against CC: drag bunts, sac bunts, aggressive steals, etc If Willie Mays Hayes Rollins shows up tomorrow, I’m gonna dropkick his rotator cuff. Hopefully the ’07 Post-season Sabathia shows up as well… go Phillies!
Posted: 10:23 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I think the key tomorrow will be timely hits, which has been a definite problem for us all year. I think Werth may be a key because of his success against lefties, but CC isn’t your average lefty. So, I think the key player(s) are the ones that get up with runners in scoring position. Whether its moving the runner over, getting a sac fly, or even an RBI base hit – we have to step up when given the opportunity. We are probably only going to get a few chances against CC, so we have to cash in when we get them.
Posted: 10:39 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Rick Bates
Im still drunk and happy. Ill just continue it into the downfall of CC tomorrow.
Posted: 10:42 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 dan
Cubs win with Zambrano on the hill tomorrow, then lose the series in LA.
Posted: 10:50 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 R.Mac
http://mysite.verizon.net/heyjude421/chf/chf.html
Posted: 11:06 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 R.Mac
Cole Hamels Facts…..HILARIOUS
Posted: 11:07 PM on October 1, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryk
Wow. I don’t quite have the time to go through all 1900 of them.
Posted: 01:49 AM on October 2, 2008
Posts: 0 J-Man
Man if only CC Sabathia could run out of gas tomorrow,i mean this guys pitching his 4th staight start on 3 days rest and is coming off a complete game his last start,but he’s a big game pitcher and doesn’t seem like he’s gonna run out of gas…I worried with Myers too tomorrow because of his last couple starts he got rocked.
Posted: 02:33 AM on October 2, 2008