March 19, 2008

The Hamels Hammer

Cole Hamels got in his regular season groove Monday:

As he walked off the field toward the clubhouse after the sixth inning, fans along the third-base line treated him to what is believed to be the first standing ovation a Phillies starter has received all spring.
“Today I was able to almost close my eyes and throw it and know exactly where it was going to go,” Hamels said about his performance in the Phillies’ 4-2 win. “That’s good to see. I just need to repeat it when it really counts.”
Hamels opened up the game by striking out Tampa Bay second baseman Eliot Johnson. In the third, he struck out shortstop Reid Brignac on a beautiful off-speed pitch, then retired centerfielder Jon Weber and pitcher Matt Garza swinging.
His only mistake came with two outs in the fifth inning, when he threw an 0-2 fastball that top prospect Evan Longoria knocked over the leftfield fence for a solo home run, the Rays’ first hit of the game. Hamels then gave up a single to Brignac before getting Weber to fly out to end the inning.

Hamels struck out seven while walking none and cut his ERA for the spring in half. Just another reason not to trust early spring statistics very much.
Longoria’s home run should help him make the team, however. If he can hit a hot Hamels, he can probably hit anybody.

1 thought on “The Hamels Hammer

  1. Brian

    I fear Longoria is destined for the minors, at least for a few weeks. If he isn’t called up until mid-April I’m pretty sure the Rays can hold off his free-agency an additional season.

    ReplyReply

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