The Phillies were about to be no-hit for the first time since 1978, but Matt Stairs came to the plate, then drew a 3-1 count. You know what happens when Stairs draws a 3-1 count.
The pudgy man’s eighth-inning pinch-hit home run broke up Dave Bush’s no-hit bid, giving the Phillies their line run in a 6-1 loss to the Brewers.
The Phillies collected one more hit in the game, a single by Shane Victorino in that same eighth inning. Otherwise, it was a anemic showing by the Phils offense, as hitters weakly grounded balls, popped out and looked downright lost. A low-ball pitcher, Bush capitalized off an offense that looked very one-dimensional – not unusual against these kinds of pitchers.
Bush’s near no-no usurped the bigger story, which was Cole Hamels being plunked in the left shoulder by a Prince Fielder line drive in the fourth inning. Though he left the game, reports are he’ll be okay. Official word will be relayed. The injury came after a more promising effort from the lefty. After striking out five of the first six outs recorded, Hamels allowed a two-run home run to Ryan Braun, who has handily beaten Phillies pitching throughout the series.
After Hamels exited, JA Happ surrendered a bases-clearing double from Fielder. He finished giving up three runs on three hits and three walks in 1.2 innings.
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