By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While the Philadelphia Phillies ace of today — RHP Aaron Nola — was three outs shy of recording his first career complete game, their ace of the 2008 World Series — Chicago Cubs LHP Cole Hamels — successfully went the distance for the 17th time of his 13-year career Thursday evening opposite the Cincinnati Reds at the historic Wrigley Field.
Although needing 114 pitches, Hamels mowed down the Reds lineup, tossing first-pitch strikes to 22 of his 33 batters faced, while inducing 19 called strikes, 10 swinging strikes and 24 foul balls out of 76 strikes overall. Hamels allowed just one run, an infield RBI single in the first, and threw 10 or less pitches in six of his nine innings pitched.
#Cubs Cole Hamels is the first in season acquisition to allow one run or fewer in each of his first five starts with his new team since Lee Meadows—who was dealt from the Cardinals to the Phillies—in 1919.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) August 24, 2018
The Cubs have won each of Hamels' five starts since acquiring him from the Texas Rangers on July 26. The southpaw has posted a National League-best 0.79 ERA over that stretch, yielding just 24 hits, four runs (three earned), no home runs, eight walks, 0.94 WHIP and an opposing .212 average. Hamels has also gone 4-0, evening his overall season win-loss record to 9-9.
The complete game was Hamels' first since August of last season against the Minnesota Twins, and was also the Cubs' first and the National League's 12th of this season. Chicago currently holds a three-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central division, along with a National League-best 73 wins.
The Cubs, Phillies and Atlanta Braves were reportedly the final three teams to be linked to Hamels leading up to the late-July trade. The Phillies reportedly had "minimal interest" in Hamels, as they liked their current rotation, even though Hamels said he would have "absolutely loved" to rejoin the Phillies.
Prior to swapping teams last month, Hamels went 1-7 with a 6.41 ERA, 53-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.508 WHIP in 10 home starts, as opposed to 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA, 61-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.229 WHIP on the road. Change of scenery clearly has benefited the four-time All-Star.
Barring a change in the rotation, Hamels is in line to take on the Phillies for the first time, Sept. 2 at Citizens Bank Park.
