With their third game in less than 24 hours, the Phillies and White Sox would play the rubber game of their matchup on the doorstep of the All-Star Break. For the Phillies, Cole Hamels looked to continue the success he's had in his last two outings against the Pirates and Nationals. Plus, with 24 innings of baseball having been played yesterday, it was important Hamels eat up some innings and relieve the bullpen. Looking to stop Hamels' hot streak was Jose Quintana for the White Sox. A win would put Philly at the .500 mark for only the second time in the last two months.
Chase Utley walked in his first appearance of the game. Jimmy Rollins would follow up with a single, putting two on for All-Star Domonic Brown. He would promptly double and plate two, giving the team a first inning 2-0 lead.
The Phillies would score once again in the fourth. Looking to help his own cause, Cole Hamels would single home Delmon Young, who had singled earlier in the inning. 3-0 Phillies.
Hamels had been nearly unhittable through six innings. Howver, the seventh brought on some difficulties. An Adam Dunn double would begin the inning, and a Dayan Viciedo single put runners on the corners with nobody out. Jeff Keppinger singled to score Dunn, and the shutout was over. A strikeout and a doble play would end the threat. 3-1 Phillies.
In the eighth, Hamels continued to pitch. He did allow a homerun to Alejandro De Aza, but continued to look strong. He would exit the game after the inning on the line for a win. 3-2 Phillies.
Jonathan Papelbon would come on in the ninth looking to preserve the one run lead. Viciedo would single with one away, then would be replaced by Blake Tekkote. Tekkote would steal second almost immediately. Jeff Keppinger flew out for the second out of the inning, and Papelbon seemed poised to finish it off. With one strike left in the inning, Josh Pheghly singled up the middle to tie the ballgame. The Phils could do nothing in the bottom of the inning, and for the third straight came, we'd go to extras.
In the bottom of the tenth, the Phillies were determined to score. Utley would begin it with a double to deep right center field. The White Sox decided to intentionally walk Jimmy Rollins and pitch to Brown. Dom would ground out, but move both runners up. Another intentional walk, his time to Darin Ruf, would load the bases for Delmon Young. He would, disappointingly, strikeout. John Mayberry Jr. was the next hope, and he wouldn't fail. A base hit up the middle would win it for the Phillies in the tenth, 4-3.
No win for Hamels today, but he can rest assured knowing his team is heading into the All-Star Break at 48-48. 34 innings against the Chicago White Sox would result in another series win. Now, they get to rest for a few days before they head off on a tough road trip. On Friday, Kyle Kendrick and Jeremy Hefner will square off at the home of this year's All-Star Game, Citi Field. Before we get there, don't forget to watch Cliff Lee and Domonic Brown represent the Phillies in that All-Star Game on Tuesday night!
