By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
On May 12, 2006, eventual four-time All-Star, 2008 World Series champion and MVP — LHP Cole Hamels — was credited with a no-decision in his debut, tossing five scoreless innings with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Exactly 13 years later, another southpaw named Cole — Cole Irvin — put on a Phillies uniform, this time earning a winning decision, as the club topped the Kansas City Royals, 6-1, in Sunday's Mother's Day matinee finale.
A beauty in his debut. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/7kcc8iSvnI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 12, 2019
The 25-year-old, Yorba Linda, California, native shined, allowing just one run on five hits, one walk and five strikeouts spanning seven innings, 93 pitches and 64 strikes. Irvin is the first Phillies pitcher to go seven innings in his MLB debut since Ben Lively in June 2017.
The Phillies nearly hit .500 with runners in scoring position (3-for-7), especially helped by J.T. Realmuto's two-run double and Odubel Herrera's two-run single, both in the fifth inning. In fact, all six of the Phillies' runs scored came in the frame, with the other runs brought home via a RBI single by Jean Segura, and a walk with the bases loaded by Rhys Hoskins.
Last 5 #Phillies to allow 6 or fewer base runners in 7 or more innings pitched in their MLB debut:
Cole Irvin (2019)
Brett Myers (2002)
Carlton Loewer (1998)
Matt Beech (1996)
Niles Jordan (1951)— Kevin Reavy (@76pack) May 12, 2019
Right-handers Seranthony Dominguez and Juan Nicasio tossed scoreless eighth and ninth innings to secure the series win; in total, the Phillies went 4-2 on their six-game Missouri road trip opposite the Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. Coming up, they will face the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies at home for a seven-game homestand.
