Hamels Shuts Out Reds as Phillies Capitalize on Cincy Errors
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Phillies ace lefthander Cole Hamels came roaring back after two sub-par efforts to shut down and shut out Cincinnati on 3 hits in completing his 2nd game of the season and his 2nd shut out. The Reds, who got a pass on 2 fielding errors on Wednesday due to great pitching, saw the Phillies convert on 3 fielding errors today in winning by a 5-0 score.
With the win, and with Florida’s loss to Atlanta, the NL East frontrunning Phils now lead the Marlins by 2 1/2 games and the Braves by 3 1/2 games. The 4th place Mets are now 4 1/2 games behind having lost a squeeker to the San Diego Padres.
Hamels, who had been pounded in his two previous starts after running up 19 straight scoreless innings wrapped around his other complete game shut out, rebounded with an awesome 3 hit performance to win his 6th game against 4 losses. He was in total control almost throughout except in the second inning when 2 walks, with a single sandwiched in-between, put him in bases loaded hot water. But he retired his pitching opponent, the young recently recalled Homer Bailey on a pop-up to end the threat.
AP sports writer Rob Maaddi cites the contrast between the two starters for Yahoo sports;
Mixing a sharp fastball with his deceptive changeup, Hamels kept hitters off balance all day. He pitched out of his only jam in the second, retiring Bailey on a popup to leave the bases loaded.
“That’s the Cole Hamels I remember,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He had a real good fastball and a real good changeup.”
Bailey didn’t get much defensive support in his first start of the season. The former first-round pick allowed five runs—two earned—and four hits in 6 1-3 innings.
Future Hall of Famer rightfielder Ken Griffey Jr. started the game in rightfield and is still in search of his 500th career home. Griffey went 1 for 4 but gave the Citizens Bank Park crowd something to cheer about when he doubled to left centerfield with 2 outs in the third inning and pounded a deep drive to centerfield to lead off the ninth.
AP’s Maaddi notes that when the crowd cheered Griffey Jr. after his long out in the ninth;
The 13-time All-Star outfielder tipped his hat and waved to the Philadelphia fans, who’ve had a long history of boorish behavior. They’ve also cheered other opposing stars over the years.
“It was awesome,” Griffey said. “I can’t thank everybody enough.”
“Growing up, I was a really big fan of his and I saw the numerous home runs,” Hamels said. “If I would’ve given it up, I would’ve been on a long list with a lot of people. I wouldn’t have minded, even though it would’ve broken up the shutout.”
The Phillies capitalized on a fielding error by shortstop Paul Janish to score their 1st run in the third inning and errors by pitcher Bailey and rightfielder Griffey led to 2 more Phillies runs in the fifth.
Rightfielder Geoff Jenkins clubbed a 2 out solo shot to rightfield in the sixth, his 6th homer of the season, and 1st baseman Ryan Howard’s 2 out RBI single to left centerfield in the seventh inning capped Phillies’ scoring.
Bailey deserved a better fate in his 2008 debut. He tossed 89 pitches in 6 1/3 innings and only gave up 4 hits. Of the 5 runs he was charged with, only 2 runs were earned due to the 3 errors. Bailey walked 4 while striking out one and giving up Jenkin’s dinger.
The Reds bullpen held the Phils scoreless over the final 1 1/3 innings.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s games, click here.
On Friday, the Phillies take to the road for 3 games each against
Atlanta, Florida and St. Louis before returning home to play Boston and the L. A. Angels in inter-league competition.
In Friday’s opener, veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer is opposed by Tim Hudson for the Braves. On Saturday, young Kyle Kendrick faces 23 year old lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Friday’s and Saturday’s games, click here and here.
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