The Phils’ offense wasted Cole Hamels’ third straight quality start as the Phils are shutout by the Bucos, losing 2-0.
The Phils’ offense wasted yet another good performance by Cole Hamels as they dropped one to the Pirates, 2-0.
The Pirates broke up a 0-0 pitchers’ due in the top of the fourth as, with a runner on first, and with nobody out, Brandon Inge hits an RBI double, knocking in Neil Walker, who had started the inning off with a single, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The Pirates would add an insurance run in the top of the eighth as, with one man out, Gaby Sanchez hits a solo home run, his second home run of the year. That would be all the runs that the Pirates needed as Jason Grilli collected his eighth save of the season as he threw a 1-2-3 ninth.
Cole Hamels (0-3, 5.40) took the lost as he pitched eight strong innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out six, as he is once again left high and dry by an inconsistent Phils’ offense. Phillippe Aumont pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Jeff Locke (2-1, 3.74) got the win as he went six shutout innings, giving up two hits and two walks, while striking out six Phils. Tony Watson collected his fifth hold of the season as he threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. Mark Melancon received his seventh hold of the year as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up two hits, while striking out a batter. Jason Grilli picked up his eighth save of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two.
The Phils had only four hits in the game, a single by Michael Young, a double by Ryan Howard, a triple by John Mayberry, Jr. and a single by pinch-hitter Laynce Nix. The Phils also had two walks in the game (Young, Erik Kratz) as the offense was kept quiet by Pirates’ pitching.
The Phils (9-12, 4th East) continue their series with the Pirates (11-9, 4th Central) with a ballgame tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Roy Halladay (2-2, 6.04) who is coming off a win against the Cardinals on April 19, as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out six, in the Phils’ 8-2 romp. He will be going for his third straight win, after having started the season with a pair of pitching disasters. The Pirates will oppose with Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 0.56) who is coming off a win against the Braves on April 19, as he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only one hit, as he struck out five, in the Pirates’ 6-0 shutout. He hopes to give the Phils their second straight lost. The Phils will be looking to get even for last night’s lost, and retake the series lead.
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