Cole and Charlie Speak
Cole Hamels and Charlie Manuel talk about today's victory in Game 1 of the NLDS
Cole and Charlie Speak
Todd Zolecki
Here is some of what Cole Hamels and Charlie Manuel had to say in the postgame news conference following today's 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League division series at Citizens Bank Park:
QUESTION. Cole, given the stakes, was that the best pitching performance of your young career?
COLE HAMELS: Yes and no. Just where we were I knew the importance of the game, and it's something where because of last year, I learned what it really takes in trying to be -- kind of mellow out, not have that sort of excitement where you can't really control everything. And that was something where just going out there and relaxing and just being able to pitch and throw strikes. I think with the type of team that Milwaukee brings, they're very aggressive but also very good. And so I just had to really establish the first pitch strike just so I can get ahead of them and slow them down. And that's what I was able to do and have success at it.
Q. Charlie, can you talk about Brad Lidge, and can you also take us through the decision to pitch to Prince Fielder?
CHARLIE MANUEL: Basically, Brad, what happened, he got ahead of (Ray) Durham, and then felt like he tried to sneak a fastball by him. Durham got a hit. And after that he threw some pitches and got ahead of the other hitters but seemed like he walked right back into an even count or he got behind. And he got in a position where he had to throw the ball over the plate. And what happened on Fielder was, the reason we decided to pitch to him, he can tie the game up. He's not the winning run. And any time that you go and put the winning run on base in our ballpark here, especially with their lineup, like they're fifth and sixth hole hitters can hit the ball out, . He can tie it up, but he can't win it for them there. And I also liked one of the big things about Lidge, I say it all the time, his talent prevails at times. And it has most of the year. He can strike people out. That's one of his big pluses. That's what a big closer is good at. He can get in jams but at the same time he can wiggle out because he can strike people out.
Q. Charlie, any thought with as well as Cole is pitching and the rhythm he was in to just let him finish up the game?
CHARLIE MANUEL: It crossed my mind, and I looked at it, what did he have 101, 102 pitches? He pitched a lot this year. We've got that guy down there. That's why he's standing down there for. That's his job, too. And he's been perfect. I mean, but also another thing, too, is the top of their order is all right-handed, and Lidge is -- what he gets is right-handers out at about .170 clip. So he kind of had the inning, like when it started. Of course they pinch hit Durham, but at the same time the inning was pretty much set up for him.
Q. Cole, to follow up on that, did you want to pitch the 9th inning?
COLE HAMELS: No, the last time I did that I gave up a two-run home run to Fielder. (Laughter). No, I have all the confidence in the world in Lidge. I knew it was something where I knew if I could get through the 8th, I knew Lidge could seal the deal. That's something where I wanted to get him a save and I know he wanted to get me a win, and we were able to do that.
Q. Charlie, are you concerned about Brad Lidge in the sense that last Saturday's game he had kind of an adventurous inning in the Nationals and tonight he had a 35-pitch outing? Are you concerned about his endurance at this point?
CHARLIE MANUEL: I get concerned but at the same time so far this year a lot of times when he'll have one of those outings, or two of them, and he's gotten through and all of a sudden like his next couple will be really good. His talent prevails. He's a strikeout pitcher, and he stays there and gets it done. One of these days, yeah, he'll lose a game, probably. But at the same time he might go a long time before he does. Just a matter of we'll see.
Q. Cole, after what happened last year, did you think psychologically about how important it was to win this first game?
COLE HAMELS: You know, I had the understanding of what it is when you do win the first game, the momentum that it, I guess, causes and especially at home. It's just the excitement level and just the feeling that you can get.
And so going into today, I tried to be as relaxed as I possibly could. Yet, I still wanted to go out there and win just because I knew what it would do for our team. And I think that's something where, from the very first pitch in the 1st inning, I gave that confidence in our players. When we scored those runs, I think they did have the confidence I wasn't going to allow any more runs. That's something where it's good to have that and the team is still able to battle through. But I think tonight definitely I think we'll think about it a little more because even though we won the first one we still have to go out there and win the next couple. Hopefully you ride out, I guess, the emotions and everything that we have especially still being at home.
i love cole for every reason in the world, but how can he say he doesnt want to pitch the 9th ?— Snakes- Snakes, thanks for opening the door to another session of self-proclaimed tough guys who only got off the bench in Little League because of rules ensuring every gets in the game bashing "nancy boy" Cole:) Judging by the laughter that followed, don't you think he was joking around and trying to give Lidge some props for fulfilling his role on the team? Think about it. The guy will never be Macho Row material but he is prepared to compete every time out. He obviously has an "artistic" or an Olympian mindset, but hell, it works. He should hook up with Carlton and learn to take that 15-year vow of silence that worked so well for Lefty. Let your left arm do the talking, Cole!— frankenslade
- My guess was he meant he wasn't mad he got pulled for the 9th... the way he explains after that he had all the faith in the world in Lidge seems to make it sound more like that. I'm sure he wouldnt have said no I dont want to had Charlie said finish up your gem.— Chewy59
Yeah, it sure seems like Cole was making it a light situation, joking about the homer to Fielder. Would be dufferent if he flatly said "No, I did not want to pitch the 9th" and that was it. I really think there's no clear cut right call here. Some good reasons to go either way. It worked out, so I'm fine with it. Let's hope we can make do without Lidge tomorrow and have him rested for Game 3. By the way, I say "CC who?" The guy is due to get beat. And in the immortal words of JOhn Blutarsky... "And we're just the guys to do it."— bobby- Bobby great quote! Lidge has been a bit shaky of late, but he somehow manages to get the "W" and that's all that matters. I think CC is due to have a bad game especially since this will be his 3rd/4th start on 3 days rest--you would think it's bound to catch up with him?? Cole was amazing! I think we'll see the Myers who blew away the Brewers just a few short weeks ago. GO PHILS!— KarenA
- First things first, Cole was magnificent today. I thought the key for him was to get Fielder out, because he (Hamels) has had trouble with lefties for the last month or so, and Fielder had hit him well this year. Lidge really doesn't look that sharp to me, and he doesn't seem to have good location on the fastball. The Philly fan pessimist in me keeps thinking "Gary Anderson" (the Vikings kicker who was perfect in field goals in 1998 until the one that mattered most). Hopefully IF Lidge blows a save this year, it won't be in a deciding game. I wonder if Madson closes tomorrow? Finally, I like the approach the hitters took today of working the count, even though it didn't result in many hits. That was the approach the Red Sox used to beat Sabathia twice last year in the ALCS. Hopefully they'll stay disciplined tomorrow (and hopefully Myers can duplicate his last performance against the Brewers).— Statman
- Zo....I'm totally impressed! Not one typo! C.C. will implode. Not even he can keep pitching gems on short rest. Our boys just have to be patient, and make HIM do all the work.— Norma
- Isn't Lidge due to blow a game before C.C.? And we know Lidge's playoff history, ask Albert Pujols...— mjv1208
