Cole Hamels gave up four runs in the third inning, which happened to be the difference in a 6-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Joe Mather hit a home run to give the Cards a 3-0 lead, then Hamels let up two consecutive singles — aided by an Eric Bruntlett throwing error — before a sacrifice fly made it 4-0. The ace went six innings, giving up four earned runs (five in all) on eight hits. It marks his second bad start in a row, after the debacle against Atlanta.
The Phils made it close in the sixth when Shane Victorino and Chase Utley hit back-to-back doubles, then Pat Burrell homered to make it 5-3. But the Phils got nothing else off the Saint Louis bullpen, and came up short with the tying run (Victorino) at the plate with two outs in the ninth. How Kyle Lohse outpitched Cole Hamels baffles me. This whole Lohse phenomenon (13-3) baffles me.
Hamels has to pitch better. He’s the ace for a reason. Suddenly that home run ball that he seems to give up once in a while is becoming much more dangerous. Last week it was a nail-in-the-coffin for the 24-year-old. Today it was an unfortunate turn of events. Both were three-run shots.
It’s easy to say the offense came up short in this one, especially against a guy who is winning by basically spotting his fastball. But this time it’s all about Cole. No excuse for a lackluster effort this time out (unless, and I didn’t want to bring it up, but unless he’s really injured).
Hamels: “I’m not hurt. I’m perfectly fine.”
We’ll take your word, Cole.
Associated Press photo
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