The Phillies needed another huge start from Cole Hamels, who has been one of the Phils’ very few stars of the season. The left-hander tossed eight innings of shut-out, one-hit ball as he bested the Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. The Phils took advantage of the start and some late-inning heroics to snap a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the streaking Cardinals. The loss snapped St. Louis’ eight-game winning streak.
Hamels dazzled with his fastball (hitting 94-95 MPH) and his change-up. On a day gorgeous but hot day in St. Louis, Hamels threw fire. He allowed only one hit and one walk in eight innings while striking out seven. He struck out the first five batters he faced in the game. Wainwright was pulled after six innings of shut-out ball where he allowed a lot of hits but stranded a lot as well. He struck out six while allowing six hits.
Placido Polanco finally broke the scoreless tie in the top of the 11th. He made up for his fifth inning pick-off with a lead-off homer in the 11th to make it a 1-0 game. The Phillies added one more run with Jayson Werth’s RBI double, his 30th two-base hit of the season.
It was a frustrating first 10 innings for the Phils, who left seven runners on base in scoring position. They finished the night batting 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, the lone hit coming from Werth’s double in the 11th.
Hamels’ lone hit allowed and St. Louis’ only hit of the game came in the fourth inning. Matt Holliday lead-off, roping a 1-1 cutter over the head of Jimmy Rollins for the hit. He was then doubled-up when Shane Victorino made a diving catch and threw to first as Holliday thought the ball hit the ground. Replay showed he did not drop the ball but on the next play, Werth made a similar catch that was ruled out in which the replay proved it hit the ground when Werth failed to control it. But his acting skills got the Phils out of the inning.
2B: Schneider (3), Victorino (15), Werth (30). HR: Polanco (6).
WP: Durbin (2-1). LP: McClellen (1-3). S: Lidge (8).
TTB 