D-Backs Fall to Phillies, 7-2; Hamels Outstanding in Strong Eight Innings

After last night's win thanks to a breakout of the offense, the Phillies were looking to take this series from the Diamondbacks, their last game on this west coast trip. Cole Hamels took the mound this afternoon against Trevor Cahill, the former Athletics starter.

The Phils would jump ahead early once more thanks to an RBI single from Hunter Pence which scored Placido Polanco. 

The game remained 1-0 until the sixth inning when the offense really broke out. First, Juan Pierre scored on a wild pitch. Hunter Pence then hit an RBI single, making it 3-0. Carlos Ruiz followed with an RBI single of his own. To top it all off, Cole Hamels hit a two-run single with the bases loaded, putting the Phillies up 6-0.

Speaking of Cole, he pitched arguably his best start of the season. He didn't strike out as many batters as he did against the Mets on April 15 (10 K in 7 IP), but he allowed just one hit through his first six, retiring fourteen consecutive batters afterwards, striking out three and walking none in the process. 

Hamels allowed a single to Aaron Hill in the seventh inning, ending his streak of consecutive batters sent down at 18. That is simply unreal. 

Aaron Hill ended up scoring after Hamels allowed two more singles in the inning. He walked former Phillie Cody Ransom to load the bases for Paul Goldschmidt who nearly hit into a double play. However, Pete Orr dropped the exchange ball from Freddy Galvis, and everyone was safe. Another run would score courtesy of the error on Orr.

Freddy Galvis made some spectacular defensive plays today at shortstop. It was his first major league start at his former position (Jimmy Rollins was given the day off). So, know we know he can hold his ground at both shortstop and second base. Curious to see how he would make out as a third baseman now!

Hamels came back from his wretched seventh inning and struck out the side in the eighth. His day would be complete after that. His final line: 8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Not bad at all. 

Placido Polanco scored Juan Pierre from first on an RBI double in the top of the ninth. Both Pierre and Polanco had outstanding afternoons. 

Michael Schwimer, who just flew in this morning from Philly, entered the game in the ninth. He pitched a scoreless, 1-2-3 inning to close it out. Phillies win, 7-2!

The Phillies went 5-5 on this west coast trip, and will have the day off tomorrow. They'll start a four-game series with the Cubs at home on Friday at 7:05.