Hamels Pitches Gem, Phillies Beat Brewers in Division Series Opener
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Ace lefthander Cole Hamels pitched a gem as the Phillies offense capitalized on a 3rd inning fielding error by 2nd baseman Rickie Weeks to score 3 runs and Hamels made the lead stand up holding the Brewers scoreless through eight innings. Things got a bit dicey for closer Brad Lidge in ninth as the Brewers score a run on 2 hits, a walk, an error and wild pitch but the Phils held on for a 3-1 win.
Meanwhile, the L.A. Dodgers shocked the Chicago Cubs by winning their Division series opener by a 7-2 score as 17 game winner Ryan Dempster was pounded for a 1 out grand slam homer by 1st baseman James Loney after walking the bases loaded in the fifth inning. The Cubs had taken an early 2-0 lead on 2nd baseman Mike DeRosa’s 2nd inning 1 out 2 run homer off of winning pitcher Derek Lowe. Dempster was very wild throughout walking 7 in 4 2/3 innings while giving up 4 hits. 3 other Cub relievers were smacked for 3 runs, including 2 solo homers, one run each in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
The story in Wednesday’s opener was almost all Cole Hamels. In eight innings, he totally shut down the Brewers on but 2 hits while walking only 1 and striking out 9. He retired the 1st 14 Brewers he faced before rightfielder Corey Hart singled to rightfield with 2 outs in the fifth. After replacement 2nd baseman Craig Counsell singled and centerfielder Mike Cameron walked with 1 out in the sixth, Hamels retired the final 8 Brewers he faced.
Meanwhile, the Phils scored their 3 runs in the third inning as a miscue on Hamels’ grounder brought the Phillies offense to life against youngster Yovani Gallardo. AP sports writer Rob Maaddi describes the inning for Yahoo sport;
The 22-year-old righty allowed three unearned runs and three hits in four innings, walking five. Gallardo became the second pitcher in major league history to start a postseason game without recording a win that year. He pitched in three games before he injured his right knee on May 1 and had a 1.88 ERA to go with four no-decisions.
“Things like that are going to happen,” Gallardo said about the defensive lapses. “There’s no excuse for you to come in and let your guard down. You still have to go out there and make pitches and get out of situations like that.”
Carlos Ruiz started Philadelphia’s third inning with a single. Hamels then bunted hard to third baseman Bill Hall, who bobbled the ball, costing him a chance to get Ruiz at second. Second baseman Rickie Weeks dropped Hall’s throw to first for an error.
Gallardo almost worked out of the jam, though. He retired Jimmy Rollins on a shallow fly and struck out Jayson Werth. But [Chase] Utley ripped a liner through a swirling wind to center. Cameron took a poor route, raced back and reached up for a backhanded catch only to have the ball bounce out of his glove.
Both runners scored on Utley’s double for a 2-0 lead. A three-time Gold Glove winner, Cameron usually makes that play look routine.
“If he doesn’t make that catch, nobody can,” Sveum said.
Gallardo intentionally walked Ryan Howard and then walked Pat Burrell to load the bases. Gallardo walked Shane Victorino to force in another run, before retiring Pedro Feliz on a fly to center.
AP’s Rob Maaddi adds this comment and quote from the Brewer’s manager regarding Hamels;
Cole Hamels was so dominant the Milwaukee Brewers were glad to see Brad Lidge come in.
“Not too many times you can say you’re happy to see Lidge, but we didn’t hit the ball hard off Hamels all day,” Brewers manager Dale Sveum said.
Hamels baffled the fastball-hitting Brewers with his dazzling changeup, helping the Phillies earn their first postseason win since the 1993 World Series… Philadelphia’s previous postseason win was a 2-0 victory over Toronto on Curt Schilling’s five-hitter Oct. 21, 1993. The Blue Jays clinched the series on Joe Carter’s homer off of Mitch Williams in Game 6.
The Phils, through the regular season, were perfect when holding a lead after eight innings and extended that perfection into the playoffs. Lidge was a perfect 41 saves for 41 chances and extended his perfection into the Division series game 1 as well, but it wasn’t easy.
AP’s Maaddi recaps the ninth inning;
Manager Charlie Manuel considered sending Hamels out to start the ninth, but decided to go with Lidge. The Brewers got the tying run to the plate, but Prince Fielder fanned for the second out. After J.J. Hardy walked to put two runners on, they advanced on a wild pitch. Then Hart struck out swinging to end it.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Wednesday’s games, click here.
Pitching assignments appear to line up like this so far for the 2nd and 3rd game of the series; C.C. Sabathia goes on Thursday against Brett Myers and in Saturday’s game 3 at Milwaukee, 45 year old lefthander Jamie Moyer, who now has clinched NL East division titles in the last 2 seasons for the Phillies, is opposed by Jeff Suppan.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s games, click here, here and here.
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