…when it is the other team’s score at the end of the game.
This was the case Tuesday night when the Phillies beat the Nationals 1-0. Greg Dobbs singled in what would be the winning run in the top of the 9th inning. Eric Bruntlett, who was pinch running for Pedro Feliz, came around to score on the play. It was Dobbs’ league leading 11th pinch hit this year. He is a very valuable asset to the Phillies. Most fans really do not appreciate a guy who can accept his role as being basically a bench player, but Dobbs is very professional about it. He knows that it is in this position that he can best help the team.
Cole Hamels did right the ship like I said he would. He pitched 7 innings of shutout ball, and tied his season high with 11 strikeouts. Sadly he did not get the decision due to the fact that the run was scored in the 9th inning. Tom Gordon picked up yet another win. His record is a ridiculous 4-2 now. Remember that he is a set up man. That just goes to show how many close games there have been this season.
Brad Lidge picked up his 11th save on the season. He walked 2 men, but also struck out 2. Yet again he did not give up a run. His ERA is just 0.45.
With his performance, I think that Cole Hamels is a definite all star. His record is only 5-3, but his ERA is only 2.61. The only debate that will go on is who the starter for the NL will be. Right now it’s an obvious choice of Brandon Webb. He won his first 9 starts of the season. Had he not lost to the Marlins last night, he had an opportunity to get 11 wins by June 1st! If he cools down, there are 3 other pitchers right there waiting to take his spot. All three are very young so I wonder how it will play out. They are: Tim Lincecum, 23 year-old pitcher for the SF Giants. He has a 6-1 record, leads the league in Ks, and is second in the NL in ERA. Next we have the league leader in ERA: Edinson Volquez, the 24 year-old pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He is 7-1, leads the league in ERA, and is 3rd in the NL in strikeouts. And finally you have 24 year-old Cole Hamels. He is 5-3, but is second in the NL in Ks, and is 4th in the NL in ERA behind Lincecum, Volquez, and another gut off to a gret start, Carlos Zambrano.
Since the fans cannot vote for pitchers, it will be very interesting to see who the coaching staff picks for the starters and relievers. This is always where it gets interesting considering that every team has to have one player representing them in the game. The Phillies should get Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins in as position players. I think Hamels is definitely in if he keeps up his performance. I also feel that Brad Lidge, who not too many people thought was still mentally able to close, should make the roster as well.
