Hamels Sits Down Cubs; Victorino Sidelined

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