Posted by Danielle Wilson
On the Phanatic’s Birthday (his true age has not yet been determined) Cole Hamels (1-1, 5.59 ERA) took the mound against Marlins’ starter Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 6.97 ERA).
Cole struck out two and walked one (fourth of the season) in the first inning, no complaints here. Placido Polanco drilled one to right field and with the wind being a huge factor today, it left the park and was Polly’s first home run of the season. Jimmy walked, and stole second, then third, on a throwing error by Marlins catcher John Buck. Raul Ibanez (my standout star for today) singled up the middle and scored Jimmy. 2-0 Phillies.
After striking out Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison got the first hit of the day for the Marlins, a single to right field. But Cole remained dominant and struck out John Buck, and grounded out former Phillie Wes Helms who has gotten his fair share of boos from the crowd at CBP.
Cole got into a bit of a jam in the fourth, first allowing a double to Hanley Ramirez (Raul dove for it but missed), then walked Logan Morrison. After both baserunners advanced on a wild pitch/stolen base, Cole got John Buck to ground out. Marlins were still scoreless.
But then they beat up Cole in the sixth. Omar Infante led it off with a double, followed by Mike Stanton's RBI single. Logan Morrison popped up a sac fly to right field scoring Stanton, and the game was tied at two.
The seventh inning was a scoreless one for the Phils and the Fish, and it was the last inning for Cole Hamels. Hamels' line after 7 IP: Seven hits, two runs, two walks, seven strikeouts. His ERA is now down to 4.32.
Ryan Madson came in to pitch the eighth inning (sighs of relief all around, there was word that Romero and Kendrick were both warming up) and struck out Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison on a nasty changeup and fastball combo.
Ryan Howard and Ben Francisco hit back to back singles to kick off the eighth inning, and after Raul grounded into a force out, Ryan Howard scored on Chooch's sacrifice fly and the Phillies took the lead, 3-2.
Jose Contreras came in to save the game, and issued a walk to the lead off hitter, John Buck. Greg Dobbs came in to pinch-hit, and grounded out to short stop. With two gone, Jose walked Chris Coghlan, but got Omar Infante to ground out to end the game.
Phillies held on to win this one 3-2, and are now 10-4 for the season. They have not lost back to back games yet.
Joe Blanton will start in tomorrow's game against the Milwaukee Brewers @ 7:05 at CBP.
