The Phillies surely know how to pick a good day to win in dramatic fashion. How about yesterday? It was crazy. Honestly, I thought we'd done against Chapman – especially after Cliff Lee was picked off. That wasn't the case, however, as Erik Kratz homered to tie it and right after that Freddy Galvis shot a line drive to the left field foul pole and won the game for the Phils. With a series win against the Reds, the Phillies are now two games under .500 and sit 4 1/2 games out of first place behind Atlanta. Tonight the Phils will open a three-game series with the Marlins tonight behind Cole Hamels (1-6, 4.61 ERA) and Alex Sanabia (2-6, 5.00 ERA).
Cole Hamels needs a miracle. The Phils' lefty has received little-to-no run support in almost all of his nine starts and has pitched well enough to win most of them. The Phillies are 1-8 in games that Hamels has started, including two against Miami already this season. In Hamels' last start, against the Indians on Wednesday, Hamels allowed five earned runs in five innings while walking two – which gave him the NL lead in walks. Control and command has been an issue all season for Hamels as he has walked 24 batters in 56 2/3 IP. In his last two starts Hamels has tallied seven walks (5 against Arizona). Looking for anything Hamels will take on the Marlins tonight with hopes of turning his horrid start of a season around.
Alex Sanabia hasn't had much good news of late, dropping his last five straight decisions. He has allowed 17 ER in that span and has also had struggle with command – walking 23 batters in eight starts this season. On Wednesday the Reds got a hold of Sanabia, scoring four runs on nine hits through six innings. Back on May 2nd Sanabia started against the Phillies and allowed two earned runs on six hits through five innings and took the loss. In two career starts against the Phillies, Sanabia is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA (2 ER in 11 IP).
Game Notes:
- This not scoring for Hamels crap is getting ridiculous. Seriously.
- Carlos Ruiz strained his right hamstring in yesterday's game. Expect a DL move, though nothing is announced.
- Ryan Howard is missing his second straight game. He remained in Philadelphia for an MRI but no announcement has been made as of the posting of this piece.
- Cole Hamels has an 8-11 career record with a 3.24 ERA against the Marlins.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Ben Revere CF
- Michael Young 1B
- Chase Utley 2B
- Delmon Young RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Freddy Galvis 3B
- Erik Kratz C
- Cole Hamels P
Marlins lineup:
- Adeiny Hechavarria SS
- Placido Polanco 3B
- Derek Dietrich 2B
- Marcell Ozuna RF
- Justin Ruggiano CF
- Chris Coghlan LF
- Nick Green 1B
- Jeff Mathis C
- Alex Sanabia P
First Pitch Forecast: Scattered T-Storms – 79° – 40% PoP (retractable roof, though)
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Go Phillies!
