Hamels Outpitches Haren

It’s amazing Dan Haren has allowed only four unearned runs during the entire season with the defense he is backed with. The Diamondbacks continue to make poor defensive plays and the Phillies took full advantage.

In the first inning, Cole Hamels allowed a solo home run to the second batter of the game, Ryan Roberts. It looked to be a long night for the Phillies, who trailed 1-0 against arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season.

In the third inning, Shane Victorino said aloha to Haren’s fastball up in the zone. The homer tied the game at one, and Victorino was far from finished.

With one out in the fifth, Hamels doubled to start a rally. Jimmy Rollins reached base on Stephen Drew’s error, and Hamels headed to third. The Phillies were in perfect position to take a lead. They did so on Victorino’s ground-rule double.  Victorino finished the night a triple shy of the cycle.

Jimmy Rollins scored on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error. Chase Utley grounded to first, and Rollins was a dead duck at the plate. However, Utley made a terrific move, running in the throwing lane, but without interference. It worked, because Chad Tracy airmailed the throw, and the Phillies took a 3-1 lead.

The Phillies were able to knock out Haren after five innings.

Hamels looked like one of the league’s finest tonight, returning to his old form. He wiggled out of a couple jams, but overall was brilliant. He pitched eight innings, allowing one run on four hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine. It’s been a while since Hamels has been able to tally up the strikeouts, but he did today against the Diamondbacks.

Jayson Werth’s RBI ground out in the seventh gave the Phillies a 4-1 lead, and they needed every bit of it with Brad Lidge coming in for the save. Lidge gave up a two-run home run to Mark Reynolds, but sweat through the save.

The 4-3 win give the Phillies four wins in a row, and the series against the Diamondbacks. Tomorrow, they’ll go for their fourth sweep in July.