On a night where Phillies fans were anticipating a new and improved Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard stole the spotlight with a monster home run to help propel the Phillies to an 8-4 win. Howard hit a two-run shot that reached the second deck in the fifth.
Much anticipation was coming into this game as Cole Hamels looked to push 2009 deep into the past and move on into 2010. The Phils got started early tonight as they jumped in front 2-0 after Ryan Howard knocked in a run on a double-play ground out. Placido Polanco would score on a wild pitch by Jason Marquis for the seond run. In the bottom of the first inning, I was confused to see Hamels pitching all around the zone and having trouble with control. He got out of the inning after giving up a lead off single and stolen base.
Hamels found trouble in the bottom of the third as he surrendered a home run ball to Ian Desmond, which cut the lead to 2-1. He would then find himself with two men on base with Josh Willingham at the plate. Willingham singled and tied the game at two a piece.
Cole would help himself out in the top of the fourth with an RBI single, which marked the second hit for Phillies pitchers in two games. Ian Desmond would strike again in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to make it a 3-3 game. The fifth was the Phillies big inning. Chase Utley singled in Polanco and then Ryan Howard smashed a pitch into the second deck in right field for a two-run bomb, his second homer of the year. This pushed the lead to 5-3 and the Phils didn't look back.
The fifth also marked the end for Hamels as he threw over 100 pitches. He surrendered three runs, two earned on five hits, struck out five and walked four.
Ibanez added a sac fly in the seventh and Howard added an RBI double in the top of the ninth to give the FIghtin's an 8-4 win. Chad Durbin, Danys Baez, Antonio Bastardo and Ryan Madson finished the game and sealed the win for Hamels. Durbin pitched two scoreless frame and fanned two Nats hitters. Baez and Bastardo pitch a third of an inning each...Baez gave up one run. Madson closed the door for his first save of the 2010 season. Ryan struck out two and gave up two hits in his one and a third innings of work.
APTER THOUGHTS: Although Hamels only went five innings and looked mediocre, I believe there is something positive to take out of his outing. Last year, Cole lost his cool after he gave up hits and homers and he just seemed just keep at it tonight which was very impressive. He has a lot to improve on before his next start. I saw control problems and balls in the middle of the plate which cannot happen for him to be successful. I recognized a bunch of cutters, not too many curves, a good change up here and there and his fastball reached 92. It was nice to see his arm speed up in the 90's this soon. I remember last year he was barely hitting 90 sometimes. The only thing to draw from this start is that there is a lot to build upon...two earned runs in five innings isn't terrible but definitely not what you want from your #2 starter.
The offensive of the Phillies is looking spectacular through the first two games and I do not see them letting up much. It is the Nationals but the Phils have posted 19 runs through two games, which is very impressive. Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez were the only two starters without a hit but Ibanez tacked on an RBI via sac fly and Werth walked twice. Placido Polanco had another productive day as he scored three runs in his four plate appearances. Ryan Howard has been seeing the ball very well over these first games and is crushing them...even if they are caught. He is making contact on pitches outside that he used to chase and just looks really comfortable at the plate.
The Phils improve to 2-0 on this young season after tonight's game. The Phillies will close out their series with the Nationals tomorrow afternoon at 4:35pm. Kyle Kendrick will start in place of the injured Joe Blanton. Kendrick looked very good this spring and fell short in the battle the fifth starter job to Jamie Moyer. Kyle will be opposed by Craig Stammen.
Phillies Updates...The Phillies claimed pitcher Nelson Figueroa off of waivers from the Mets today to add to their pitching. FIgueroa pitched for the Phils in 2001 and has been with three teams since then. Figueroa went 4-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 19 games (13 starts) for the 2001 Phillies. Joe Blanton had a throwing session today and JC Romero will make a rehad appearance for Class 'A' Clearwater on Thursday.
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