Friday, September 3, 2010

2010 Topps Heritage #20 Cole Hamels

Phillies 1, Brewers 0
Game 135 - Friday Night, September 3rd in Philadelphia

Cole Hamels dominated the Brewers tonight, pitching 7 strong innings on the way to a Phillies' 1-0 victory.  (Jenna and I attended this game, and with the exception an unfortunate crab fries incident, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.)   Hamels didn't allow a hit until he had 1 out in the 5th, and he worked out of first and second situations in the 6th and 7th.  In total, he allowed just 3 singles, while walking 3 and striking out 7 on the way to his 9th victory of the year.  Jose Contreras and Ryan Madson pitched perfect frames in the 8th and 9th to secure the win, and Madson recorded his 5th save of the year.  With the Braves losing to the Marlins, the Phillies are now just 1 game back of the NL East leaders.

The Phillies probably shouldn't have scored when they did.  Shane Victorino led off the 2nd with a gift double to left center.  Left fielder Ryan Braun appeared to be easily tracking Victorino's fly ball, but he peeled off at the last moment as the ball dropped in between Braun and center fielder Lorenzo Cain.  Victorino advanced to 3rd on Raul Ibañez' grounder to the right side, and he came in to score on Carlos Ruiz' grounder to short.

Inexplicably, the Phils came up empty in the 4th when they loaded the bases with no one out, yet failed to score a run.  Ibañez struck out swinging and Ruiz lined into a double play to end the threat.  They'll try to tally more than 4 hits tomorrow night when Roy Halladay takes to the mound for the second game of the series.

Public Service Announcement:  Chickie's and Pete's crab fries at the ballpark are delicious.  That's an undeniable fact.  But they should not be eaten rapidly, before the start of a game, on an empty stomach.  You will regret it for the duration of the game.  Please do not make the same mistake I did.

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