Hamels Leads Phillies to Another Win, NL East Race Becoming Interesting

After a rough June, Philadelphia Phillies (45-46) lefty Cole Hamels again continues to have a better month of July, leading his team to a 4-2 win against the Washington Nationals (46-44) on Tuesday.

Hamels (4-11) pitched for eight innings, giving up one run with six hits. Before he exited the game, he faced a bases-loaded, one-out situation but go through it. Upon leaving the mound, he received a standing ovation.

The pitcher said of the game via the Associated Press, “That was the most exciting eighth inning I’ve had in a long time, especially with it not being a sellout and it sounded like 60,000 fans were here. It was awesome.”

Tuesday’s win represented his second straight one–a first for Hamels in this season that is almost halfway over. Has he turned the corner and now we’ll see better play in part two of the season?

Cole Hamels

In addition to Hamel’s great outing, teammate Michael Young had a two-run double in the sixth, which contributed to the Phillies taking a 4-1 lead.

For the Nationals, righty Taylor Jordan (0-2) did not find his third career start a charm as he allowed four runs (three earned) with eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of pitching. Jordan is finding the big leagues challenging after going 9-1 (1.00 ERA) in the minors.

Former Phillie and current National player Jason Werth hit a home run for his team in the second inning and rounded the bases surrounded by boos.

With his team having lost two consecutive games, they sit just 1 1/2 games ahead of the surging Phillies and six games back behind the leading  Atlanta Braves (52-38).

Yes, we have an interesting NL East race. In July, Philadelphia is 6-2. This has come from series wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates (53-36) and the Braves.

On Wednesday, the team will put lefty Cliff Lee (10-2) on the mound. Expectations have risen that Lee can help the team continue their march to the top of the division. After the Braves started the season with a 12-1 run, they are now 40-37 as the Phillies have gone 39-38 and the Nationals at 38-38, according to MLB.com.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuels likes the 1-2  Hamels/Lee punch for this series and said via MLB.com, “That would mean that we definitely have a chance to win two games in a series That’s what that means. And I’d get my regular sleep.”

For Lee, he’ll need to pitch better on Wednesday than last Friday’s outing against the Braves. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed four runs–the greatest number in his last 12 starts; however the Phillies did get a 5-4 win.

The Nationals hope that lefty Gio Gonzalez (6-3) can snap their losing streak. Over his last seven starts, Gonzalez has a 2.11 ERA and is 3-0 during that time with the wins over his three previous outings.

In his most recent one over 6 2/3 innings, also last Friday in a 8-5 win against the San Diego Padres (40-50), he allowed three runs. Gonzalez plays well against the Phillies with his 3-1 record (2.53 ERA) over his five career starts. During his last time against them on June 19, he had a career high tie with his 11 strikeouts for the 6-2 road win.

The Nationals really need a win but the Phillies will again stop them on Wednesday (-129, 7.5 o/u).

Meanwhile as these two teams dominate headlines for the division, the Braves have grabbed two straight wins against the bottom of the division Miami Marlins (32-57) in their three-game series.

Justin Upton

On Tuesday, the Braves won 6-4. The game belonged to Justin Upton who had a home run, two doubles as well as scoring three runs. Brother B.J. did pretty well with his two hits and one score; he also drove in a run.

The final game of the three-game series takes place on Wednesday with Braves lefty Paul Maholm (9-7) on the mound vs. Nationals righty Jacob Turner (2-1).

Bring out the brooms for the sweep (-140, 7.5 o/u).