Cole Hamels can’t buy a break. Luckily, the Phillies can’t buy a loss.
The Phillies won their fifth straight game, an easy 7-1 win over the Nationals. With the win, the Phillies assured at least a momentary tie for first place in the National League East.
The big story, obviously, was Hamels’ sprained ankle, suffered on a fielded bunt in the fifth inning. Up until then, Hamels had been cruising. He gave up just four hits and two walks, striking out four in 4.1 innings. It seemed there was no reason to think he’d have any setbacks. Now this injury might set him back a start or two, but it remains to be official.
Otherwise it was an all-positive win for the Phils. Chase Utley powered things with two home runs off John Lannan. Pedro Feliz launched a three-run home run in the third; Raul Ibanez added his seventh in the eighth.
Give big props to Chad Durbin, who kept his bullpen buddies rested after Hamels’ injury. Durbin gave up only an Adam Dunn home run in his 3.2 innings. Clay Condrey secured the game with a scoreless ninth.
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