Philadelphia Phillies Squander Yet Another Masterful Outing By Ace, Cole Hamels

Philadelphia Phillies ace, Cole Hamels turned in another masterful outing. Hamels went eight full innings gave up two runs on four hits and struck out seven Florida Marlins. The only problem with that line is the absence of a win. Hamels again failed to get run support from his teammates.

The game started well. Ryan Howard singled in Jimmy Rollins in the first inning to put the Phillies up 1-0. Howard got the job done again in the third inning, scoring Chase Utley on a stand-up-double. That, unfortunately for Hamels, was the whole of his run support. 

Hamels took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and promptly gave up a home-run to Jeremy Hermida to lead off the inning. He continued to pitch well, giving up only three hits until the eighth inning. Hamels again gave up a lead-off home-run, this time to rookie Cody Ross. Those were the only bumps on an otherwise masterful outing.

Hamels was pinch-hit for in the ninth, clearing the way for Ryan Madson to pitch in a tie ball game. 

Madson set down the only three hitters he faced in the ninth inning. He went out and warmed up for the tenth, but was pulled my manager Charlie Manuel in favor of lefty J.C. Romero. Manuel saw that the Marlins were pinch-hitting left-handed hitting Mike Jacobs. Romero got Jacobs to ground out to second, and was subsequently pulled for long reliever Chad Durbin.

Durbin pitched only the tenth inning and was replaced with Clay Condrey for the eleventh. Condrey loaded the bases getting no outs and then Jorge Cantu singled in the game winning run.

This highlights what has been a major problem for the Phillies this year. The lack of run support for their best pitcher. Hamels has pitched well all year, but time and time again, the Phillies fail to come through at the plate.

It seems that they expect Hamels to pitch well, so they assume they can sit back and wait for their opportunities. Whereas with pitcher Jamie Moyer, they go out and create opportunities, knowing that Moyer has the tendency to give up a lot of hits and runs.

The Phillies need to play the same way with every pitcher in their starting rotation. If they create their scoring chances, the better chance they have of coming through. Remember how they won the final game of the season last year? Jimmy Rollins singled to lead off the game and then stole second. Then he stole third. Perfect positioning to score.

The Phillies need to do a better job of getting themselves in scoring positions. That means not only getting runners on second or third, but also knowing where to hit the ball to get the runners home. Regardless of who is on the mound for the Phillies.

Another masterful outing by Hamels squandered because of the failure to create scoring opportunities.