Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 6:06 PM | 11 comments |
 

Cole Hamels, ace
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Somebody asked me earlier today in an online chat if Cole Hamels did not pitch well in Game 1, would he somehow be marking himself as unworthy of being an ace on a pitching staff -- which I think pretty much summed up the trepidation that a decent percentage of the population carried into the events of the afternoon, and the sometimes-uneasy feelings people have about Hamels.

I said then, and I will say now, that nobody defines their career this early, that nobody -- not Hamels, not anyone -- would be forever marked as great or lousy by one start in one game at the age of 24.

That said, few will forget this one.

Because the truth is, the Phillies did not hit a bunch in their 3-1 win over the Brewers. They had only four hits on a rainy, dreary afternoon. All three runs were unearned, thanks to some sloppy third-inning defense by the Brewers. The Phillies' great fear after hitting .172 in last year's playoff series against Colorado was upon them again. They worked some counts against Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo and got him out of the game quickly, but they really did not hit. It was a concern last year and it is a concern this year, especially with CC Sabathia pitching Game 2 for the Brewers.

But Hamels saved them. Cool, calm, collected and with a killer change-up, Hamels had the Brewers off-stride all day. Masterful is not too strong a word. Through eight dominant innings, he allowed only two singles, one in the fifth inning and one in the sixth, and struck out nine. Only one Milwaukee runner reached second base with Hamels on the mound. Again, masterful.

What that does for a team is hard to explain. What it does for a team that didn't hit last year in the playoffs,  and sometimes struggled to score runs this year, and didn't really hit all that much during the game, is impossible to understate.

He calmed them. He bolstered them. He was as soothing as Brad Lidge was nerve-wracking  in the ninth.

The future will take care of itself. It will be a long time before history renders its judgment. This day, though, belonged to Cole Hamels, ace.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 6:06 PM  Permalink | 11 comments
11
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:08 PM, 10/01/2008
    Hamels looked great. Lucky offense, great defense = WIN
    — sillybilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:29 PM, 10/01/2008
    Lidge is looking mighty weak these days. He could be a liability.
    — Mr_Cool
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:41 PM, 10/01/2008
    Once more Lidge strikes out the side .... Liability? Give me a break!
    — DOC
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:44 PM, 10/01/2008
    typical philly comment Mr Cool, The guy hasnt blown a save all year and gives up a couple hits and a walk and he is a liability. Come on, enjoy the win and quit the whinning.
    — PhillyFever
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 PM, 10/01/2008
    Great win today, but I'm so tired of seeing Feliz choke time after time. His line today 0-4, 6 runners stranded. It didn't cost us today, but it will soon enough.
    — scott008
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:13 PM, 10/01/2008
    Mighty weak?!? He threw a few questionable piches, but his breaking ball had great bite and he otherwise blew away Fielder and Hart. I'll take it to close out game 1 ....
    — sha987
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:44 PM, 10/01/2008
    I still believe in Lidge. He's getting it done. The question I have is was there a need to summon Lidge in the ninth the way things were going? Why show Lidge to the Brewers in Game One unless it's necessary?
    — TripleOption
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:11 PM, 10/01/2008
    I too feel Cole should have been used in the 9th-but bottom line is, Phils got the win. Is it me, or does Lidge seem to pitch to the situation? What I mean is, he does just enough to get the save-if its a one run lead, he tightens up. With some breathing room, like today and during Saturday's division clincher (and at other points during the season) he seems to turn things up a notch depending on the lead he's given.
    — zdog
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:20 PM, 10/01/2008
    Cole - 225+ innings this season and you can't believe that decision to let Lidge pitch in the first game of the division series? Brad - 41 straight saves and you still can't believe that decision? Manuel is smarter than you.
    — vafan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:15 AM, 10/02/2008
    vafan, Manuel is way smarter. How can anyone question decision to bring in Lidge? You are spot on. I'll take Lidge in the 9th inning of the next 10 games. That translates into a World Series celebration.
    — forge98
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:10 AM, 10/02/2008
    Feliz is the 7th hitter, he's not choking, that's just the type of player he is. Before the playoffs are over he will have one big hit, he usually does.
    — Captain Splendor


11 comments
About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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