Hamels Remains Luckless, Winless
Cole Hamels can't catch a break. Phillies hitters can't get a big hit. That's a bad combination.
Hamels Remains Luckless, Winless
Todd Zolecki
Cole Hamels should stay away from AC and Vegas until further notice.
His luck is terrible right now.
He allowed five hits, two runs and two walks in last night's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He left with a lead, but Chad Durbin allowed a run in the eighth to tie the game and J.C. Romero allowed the game-winning run to score in the ninth. Hamels is winless since July 3, when he allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings against the Braves in Atlanta. Since then he is 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA in seven starts.
Feel like tearing your hair out, Cole?
"No," Hamels said. "I think that was probably about three weeks ago. I think I've learned to overcome. I can't affect that sort of outcome. All I know is that I can go out there and throw one pitch at a time. Wherever they hit it, so be it. Just try to limit the runs. I felt I definitely did a good job of it. I had the tough sixth inning. I had to bear down and I wasn't able to get Manny out."
The Dodgers had runners on first and second with one out in the sixth, when Manny Ramirez, who has been a huge hit in LA since he joined the Dodgers, singled to center to score a run. Hamels threw his first four pitches inside then worked him away before Ramirez took the sixth pitch of the at-bat to center field.
"I think when I was in Philly I was able to get him," Hamels said. "I wasn't able to get my foot down in time where I was able to get that control I needed. I couldn't get that last pitch in there where I wanted it."
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Romero on the pitch that Andre Ethier hit to left field to score the winning run in the ninth: "In different circumstances he would have rolled over on it. He stayed through it and hit a jam shot over the shortstop. What am I going to do? Sometimes you need a little luck."
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But while it might be easy to pick apart the eighth and ninth innings, the Phillies had just one hit after the third inning. It seems like that's been happening a lot over the last two months.
Especially to Hamels. He has been a victim of poor run support throughout the season. He entered last night ranked 51st out of 60 pitchers in the National League in run support, receiving just 4.27 runs per game. The Phillies have been shutout three times when Hamels has been on the mound: a 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on April 2, a 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 8 and a 3-0 loss to the Florida Marlins last Thursday.
"It all evens out," Pat Burrell said. "If he keeps pitching the way he's doing we're going to score some runs. It's unfortunate because he's had tough luck."
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In the Phillies Notebook: Tom Gordon, Brad Lidge, Pedro Feliz and more.
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Immediately got a few e-mails from fans about So Taguchi being in left field instead of Burrell. Taguchi's throw to the plate arrived late. Understand the frustration, but we're really not going to blame the loss on Taguchi's arm are we? Again, the Phillies had one hit after the third inning.
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Chase Utley hit his 30th homer of the season in the first inning. He became the sixth player in franchise history to have 30 doubles and 30 homers in the same season at least twice. He joined Chuck Klein (four times), Mike Schmidt (three times), Greg Luzinski (three times), Del Ennis (twice) and Bobby Abreu (twice).
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Shane Victorino doesn't think his lower back stiffness is serious. Read the previous post for what he had to say.
so who should we get? Please dont' go on about Manny, etc who aren't reasonable. This management won't lay out that kind of money for a 2 month rental and that's what we're talking about.— jeff gross- Jeff - Sheff also has another year on his contract, so there is no way they would bring him in, nor would I want to at that price considering he isn't an everyday player.— Gary Varsho
- I have to wonder if there is more to the late innings defensive moves then just defense. If defense was the issue then why has it taken 3yrs for us to play the lines in the late innings. Why is Victorino playing shallow in the late innings. I grant you he is fast but he can’t cut off the ball in the power alleys from the shallow CF position. Why not pull Howard for a defensive replacement. A ball down the line through him will do lots of damage. Howard has 14 errors, Utley 10, Burrell has 1, and his FPCT is .994 second only to Victorino. He makes Splading Guide over the top, one hop throws to the bag, and his decision making out there is perfect. When I look at the kind of year Pat has had at the plate I can’t see why he should be removed in any game we are not ahead by 4 runs. The fact that Pat has been in a mini slump and is trying to help himself, and the team, by taking the ball the other way says a lot about him. On a team that is prone to the strike out Pat leads the league in walks. I say its time for Charlie to get off the merry-go-round!— Wally 24
- officailly agrees that Sheff isn't the answer to our problems. Does anyone have the answer? if so please tell us and Cholli ASAP— jeff gross
- For the first time in a very long time I can honestly say I agree with every point you all are making here today....all the sins this team has committed over and over this year are coming home to roost...it truly is a team problem from the actions of the front office right on down to the coaching staff and the players....I really don't see this team winning the Division as it's currently constructed and currently performing.....the sad part is not only our disappointment as fans but I believe part of what we're seeing on the field in the players is their disappointment being manifested in their actions, behaviors and results....— Mark1npt
- would like to hear view on this lineup: Vic, Chase, Pat, Howard, Werth, Rollins, Coste, Dobbs, Pitcher. This way they cant pitch around Pat, have broken up chase and howard, and have some speed in bottom half as well. go on, tell me why it won't work— jeff gross
- Nice lineup and makes sense in a lot of ways but it's difficult to bat Pat 3rd because of his foot speed......even Howard can outrun him....and do you really want those two clogging the bases up for the speed of Werth and Rollins to follow? You just negate having speed at the bottom of the lineup when you do that...unless of course nobody gets on in front of Werth and Rollins then it doesn't mater...btw, while I'm a fan of Werth's I think he has limited skills and deserves limited playing time, not full time everyday duty against LH and RH pitching....too many flaws in his swing, not enough contact....oh wait a minute, Ijust described hitters 1 thru 9 ....didn't I?— Mark1npt
- Mark: I agree about Werth, but who else do we have to play RF? Junkins? So-what? as for the speed issue, I am hopeful that Pat and Howard may clear the bases and not need to run, or as they are also likely to do, end the inning as Werth or Rollins leads off.— jeff gross
- serriously thought about batting Cole 7th when he pitches, and if he can play the outfield on off days, having him platoon with Werth.— jeff gross
- Sound thinking on all counts Jeff....but as we've seen with these guys this year, they rarely can be counted on so I don't have false illusions that Burrell and Howard will alwasy clear the bases or that Werth and Rollins will always be in a pocition to lead off the next inning but your suggestions are intriguing....unfortunately today's players are often promised a certain place in the batting order when they are being courted by other teams to come join their organization or during contract negotiations. Lokk at Sheffield in Det right now. This may tick off a few players, not to mention the embarrassment having Hamels hit in fron of REAL ML hitters! Absolutely astounding that he got the 1st hit in two straight starts for us in the 5th inning! HIs teammates should feel lower snake poop for that. And RF? Gee, woldn't Manny have looked good out there? Especially since he's a PROVEN run producer and apparently re-born as a contact hitter better than .300 again......— Mark1npt
- Sound thinking on all counts Jeff....but as we've seen with these guys this year, they rarely can be counted on so I don't have false illusions that Burrell and Howard will alwasy clear the bases or that Werth and Rollins will always be in a pocition to lead off the next inning but your suggestions are intriguing....unfortunately today's players are often promised a certain place in the batting order when they are being courted by other teams to come join their organization or during contract negotiations. Lokk at Sheffield in Det right now. This may tick off a few players, not to mention the embarrassment having Hamels hit in fron of REAL ML hitters! Absolutely astounding that he got the 1st hit in two straight starts for us in the 5th inning! HIs teammates should feel lower snake poop for that. And RF? Gee, woldn't Manny have looked good out there? Especially since he's a PROVEN run producer and apparently re-born as a contact hitter better than .300 again......— Mark1npt
- yeah, manny looks good about now, until he throws another trainer to the floor, or pulls another of his manny being manny tirades. WHere's Bake McBride when you need him, or even johnstone (am I dating myself here?)— jeff gross
- BTW if I'm not mistaken, the Braves bat teh pitcher 8th on a regular basis. No one seems to freak out there...— jeff gross
Jeff: I like your lineup but with the same concern Mark had- Burrell too early. I would just move Rollins up to the 2 spot. It's then his and Vic's job to get on base and set the table for Utley/Burrell/Howard. Of course, that means Charlie has to have a sit-down with Ryan and explain that "It's no shame to bat 5th. We're only doing it so we can go left/right/left, OK?" But hey, the bottom line is they still have to start hitting the ball, preferably to where the fielders ain't.— bobby- Jeff G--I think you mean the Cardinals bat their pitcher 8th.— KarenA
