Hamels Escapes Late Jam, Phils Hang On For 4-2 Win
Hamels was the Hamels that earned the nine-figure deal last year in tonight’s 4-2 victory over the Nationals. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Jayson Werth hit a solo home run in the second inning with one out to begin what looked like a long night for former teammate Cole Hamels. The two met again in an epic bases loaded, two-out encounter in the eighth inning. Hamels had given up two singles followed by a walk to Bryce Harper. Hamels got Ryan Zimmerman to chase high heat for the second out. Werth had a chance to put the Nats ahead with a second inning repeat.
On his 110th pitch of the evening, shortly after Charlie Manuel left Hamels laughing after a mound visit, Hamels got Werth to fly out to Ben Revere and effectively end the only Washington Nationals threat of the night. Antonio Bastardo closed out the Nats in the ninth after giving up a run to pick up his second save.
Hamels was every bit the ace he is advertised to be against the division rival Nats, allowing only earned run, six hits, striking out four, and walking only one.
The Bats Stay Hot
Aside from Carlos Ruiz, every Phillies starter had at least one hit tonight. Chase Utley hit his 14th double of the year and was knocked in via a Domonic Brown single in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Young hit the go-ahead two-run double in the bottom of the sixth.
Darin Ruf has extended his hitting streak to four games while Revere’s two hits put him at .302 and firmly sixteenth in the NL in batting average as of press time. The trade for Revere continues to look like a major steal for the Phillies.
Winning Ways Continue
The Phillies win was their third in a row and improves their record to 4-1 on the present homestand. The Phillies have won 6 of their last 8, all against teams with records above .500 and look to take their fourth in a row tomorrow as Cliff Lee takes the hill against former Phils prospect Gio Gonzalez.
