Photo Courtesy: Andrew Gillen
After winning their third straight game on Tuesday night against the Dodgers, the Phillies 0-2 start to the road trip seemed so long ago. Since then, the offense repeatedly showed up to support its pitchers, and the team was able to return to the .500 mark with a 10-10 record. Last night, the return of a prominent figure on the Phillies roster looked to be the driving force behind a third Los Angeles win. Cole Hamels would make his return to a major league mound after some injury time. The problem, though, was that he had to face off against the streaking Zack Greinke.
The Game: Each pitcher scored 1-2-3 innings in the first frame, seemingly setting up a classic pitcher's duel. In the second inning, the Dodgers looked to quickly end said duel. Both Matt Kemp and Scott Van Slyke were able to reach base, doubling and singling respectively. With runners on the corners, Juan Uribe lifted a deep fly ball to Marlon Byrd in right field. It was far enough to draw the throw to second and allow Kemp to score the game's first run. Thankfully, a fly out and pick off of Van Slyke ended the frame without any further damage.
Philadelphia would get one back in the fourth off the bat of Ryan Howard. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins initially got things started with a double into the right field corner. J-Roll would be able to move up to third when Chase Utley grounded to Hanley Ramirez at short. It was a heads up play by Rollins, who took a risk with the ball coming right at him on the basepath. Next up was The Big Piece, who dropped the ball in front of Andre Eithier for a single and an RBI. The game now sat tied at 1 a side.
Hamels would continue to have a strong showing, but surrendered another run in the fifth inning. Despite two strikeouts to start the inning, Drew Butara lined a single into right field. Greinke would then work a walk to put two on with two away. Yasiel Puig singled next, allowing Butara to score and giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
Jeff Manship would replace Hamels in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the home squad took full advantage of the pitching change. Justin Turner and Butara each struck out to start things off, but Greinke himself doubled into the left field corner. Not one to be outdone, Puig sent a ball deep into right field that Marlon Byrd misplayed. The hit became a triple, and the team's third run.
The Phillies were within one run in the eighth when Jayson Nix notched his first homeun of the season, but that wouldn't last through the inning. Mario Hollands, who had come in for Manship in the seventh, allowed a leadoff homerun to Hanley Ramirez in this inning. He later gave up a double to Scott Van Slyke, and was replaced by Shawn Camp. Camp would soon give up a single to Justin Turner that scored the Dodgers fifth and final run. Kenley Jansen came out to close the ninth, and the Phillies fell to the Dodgers, 5-2.
Impact: Despite a lackadaisical effort by the offense, some very good news came from this contest. In his first start of the season, Cole Hamels looked excellent. Historically, Hamels has been known to get off to rough starts. That, combined with the worry of an injury, seemed to point to a rough outing for the lefty. Now, already in good form, Hamels can only go up in performance. With Cliff Lee and A.J. Burnett already pitching well, things are looking good for the team's starting rotation.
Up Next: Tonight, Kyle Kendrick will take to the hill in game four of the series against the Dodgers. Don Mattingly will send Dan Haren out to the mound in the 10:10 eastern time game.
