Hamels is just fine; waiting on Victorino
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Hamels is just fine; waiting on Victorino
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- A 14-2 drubbing will make what the winning team's starter does quite irrelevant, thus there was not much attention devoted to Cole Hamels on Tuesday.
That's just what the Phillies wanted.
Hamels, who deals in self-depricating humor, was funny afterward. The 27-year-old lefty is so accustomed to pitching in tight games where every mistake is magnified. Finally, he had a game in which he could relax.
Good, right?
"Getting that many runs – it’s nice, but at the same time it kind of breaks up your rhythm," Hamels said. "It felt like the game was kind of in slow motion. In between innings was really long. Our offense did what it was supposed to do but selfishly you just want to get in that pitching rhythm and get out there and try to shut them down as fast as possible."
Alternate title for this post: Selfish Cole Hamels wants team to score fewer runs for him.
In all seriousness, it was a quality night for Hamels. Not only did he allow two runs in eight innings, but he proved his bruised right hand is of no concern.
"I know with the one comebacker that I got, I didn’t even think about it. Just went and got it and threw it, and by the time I threw him out, I was like, 'Oh, OK, it didn’t hurt.'"
He also swung once at the 22 pitches he saw while hitting. There were no directions from the coaching staff to not swing. Hamels was simply being cautious.
"No, I was trying to take care of myself," he said.
Hamels will make one more start before the All-Star break on the final day of the first half, Sunday against Atlanta. He will not pitch in the All-Star Game.
***
The Phillies say they will make a decision on Shane Victorino's status within the next two days, but I have a feeling that window could be extended.
Why?
The injury comes at a fortuitous time in the schedule. Four days off begin Monday. Victorino last played Sunday, when he sprained his right thumb. Disabled list rules say a team can backdate a stint 10 days, meaning the Phillies can milk the clock until July 13 -- a week from today.
If they know Victorino will need at least two weeks, then they can disable him immediately. If they don't know for sure, they can wait. By not needing a fifth starter, they have already added an extra bat in John Mayberry Jr. Going with 24 players this weekend would not kill them; who, exactly, would the call-up be for Victorino? Josh Barfield? Brandon Moss? Pete Orr?
That's why the Phillies could wait out Victorino's injury. The Grade I sprain is the least severe, but the team is obviously concerned enough, having sent him to Philadelphia for the exam.
He will not rejoin the team here in Florida, meaning the last game of the series will be played with a 24-man roster. Thursday is an off day.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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Good point about who the potential call ups would be. Why bother?
— SteveS11- Cole was great yesterday and the offense broke out. Yes, I know it was against Volstad, but still it was great to see a game with great pitching and great offense.— ESFjellin
- We'll take 14 runs and a victory anytime. Keep it going Cole this Sunday against the Braves!!!!— shawnmac
- If he is day to day then I can understand not putting him on the DL. But if he is injured enough they should DL him. Orr can play the outfield. If they brought up Barfield, Martinez could be dedicated to OF use until Shane gets back and Barfield used in the infield. There is flexibility here. The call up should be who is playing best and who the Phils wouldn't have to risk losing via DFA when they were sent back down.— DPL
- Those pesky Braves just won't go away. Its going to be a big series this weekend.
— SteveS11 
Can we somehow Blackmail/Bribe Loria into trading Volstad to the Braves?- Too bad they can't carry over seven of those runs to the game tonight. They have a habit of following up big offensive games with an enemic offensive showing the next time out.— Russ
- NOT THAT IT MATTERED LAST NIGHT BUT.......... WHY IS MARTINEZ BATTING SECOND? HE IS BATTING .180.
I KNOW HE IS FAST, BUT YOU CAN'T STEAL FIRST BASE. ANYONE ELSE IN THE LINEUP WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER CHOICE. I KNOW HE HIT A BASES-LOADED TRIPLE IN GARBAGE TIME,AND 14 RUNS HIDES A .180 HITTER, BUT IN A 2-1 GAME I DON'T TIHINK GIVING HIM EXTRA ABs IS A GOOD IDEA.— lefty27 - Victorino needs to be in the line up against the Braves.
- lefty27 - Martinez also had the game-winning single in Monday night's 1-0 win. As well as a great diving catch last night. So he's contributed despite his sub-.200 average.— justinnyc11
- Maybe they are trying to trick the Nationals into taking Martinez back. Maybe they want him to have more at bats to give him a fair look. As long as they keep winning its all good.— charladan
- All caps aside, I kind of agree with lefty27...Charlies' relunctance to go without a 'number 2 hole' hitter is limiting. Why not just put Utley 2nd, Howard 3rd, and go from there. I'd rather my three best hitters get up in the 1st inning then hope that Jimmy gets on and you have somebody who can bunt him over. MM is a double play waiting to happen anyway, why not string together your best hitters and get a big inning going.— Bleue
- Well at end 4th = 4 zip , Phils— M60tanker
- um, matt...dep-RE-cate. ok?— bubba church & granny hamner
- Well here we are in Fla. and KK pitched with hitting and then.....Herrdon came in and it is 6-5. When he gets done....who knows what Fla. will get? Hey KK is a 5inn. pitcher and he did his job and the hitters did theirs. And now we bite nails with the Pen.— Koons
- matt, matt...it's dep-RE-cate. didn't you learn that at siracyuse?— bubba church & granny hamner
- Bravos win and Drew and Herndon fouled up KK's win. The Marlins are batting and who knows how Danys will do? Chase let two guys stay on the paths in the 9th. Not good for the Phils who now have to face a rampaging Bravos team just ...maybe, ....3 games in front.— Koons
- Cant believe Rollins didn't get to 3rd on Martinez hit. If you give Howard red light he has to know pick abetter pitch then low outside!— Don w
